Methods and apparatus for an automatic temperature-controlled valve
AssigneeShowerStart, LLC
InventorJohn Lockhart
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A temperature-controlled valve allows the flow of water to be terminated automatically when the water flowing through the device reaches a specific temperature. The flow may thereafter be released automatically or manually, depending upon the application. The technology may be used in a variety of contexts, including, for example, stand-alone consumer or commercial valves, embedded applications, and custom-designed valves.
Claims22
A valve comprising:
- a valve body having an input and an output, said input configured to accept incoming fluid flow having a temperature;
- a release mechanism coupled to the valve body having a released state and a locked state;
- a thermal actuator attached to said valve body;
- and
- a piston adapted to engage the thermal actuator;
- the release mechanism comprising a slide and a release member, the slide movable with respect to the valve body between a first position wherein the piston engages the slide when the fluid temperature reaches a threshold temperature to substantially prevent the flow of fluid through the valve body and a second position wherein the fluid flows through the valve body regardless of fluid temperature, wherein the release member in said locked state retains the slide in the first position and wherein the release member in said released state disengages the slide, the slide adapted to move to the second position responsive to fluid flow through the valve body and to return to the first position responsive to a substantial cessation of fluid flow through the valve body, the release member adapted to re-engage the slide in the locked state upon the return of the slide to the first position.
A method of controlling the flow of water through a valve, the valve having an on/off valve upstream thereof, the valve having an input, an output, and a release mechanism, wherein said flow of water has a temperature, said method comprising the steps of:
- providing substantial water flow to said valve;
- allowing said water flow from said input to said output when said water temperature is below a threshold temperature;
- substantially restricting said water flow from said input to said output when said water temperature is greater than or equal to said threshold temperature and said release mechanism is in a locked state;
- activating the release mechanism thereby allowing said substantial water flow from said input to said output regardless of water temperature;
- and
- substantially reducing the water flow to said input thereby causing a return of said release mechanism to the locked state.
A valve comprising:
- a valve body having an input and an output, wherein said input is configured to accept an incoming water flow having a temperature;
- a slide mechanism situated within the valve body moveable between a first and a second position with respect to said body, said slide mechanism having a first end and a second end;
- a piston mechanically coupled to a thermal actuator;
- said thermal actuator disposed within said body and configured to expand such that said piston substantially restricts the flow of water when said water temperature is equal to or greater than a threshold temperature and said slide mechanism is in the first position;
- slide engagement means engaged to said body and engaging said slide mechanism and having a locked state and a release state, wherein said slide engagement means prevents movement of said slide mechanism to said second position when in said locked state, and allows axial movement of said slide mechanism when in said release state:
- wherein said slide mechanism is adapted to slide with respect to the valve body responsive to water flow when said slide engagement means is in the released state.
A two mode flow and temperature sensing water control valve whereby the first mode of operation allows a valve's temperature sensing mechanism to engage a pressure responsive mechanism to restrict water flow once the water reaches a set temperature and whereby the second mode, activated by a switch moves the valve to a condition where a temperature restriction of the temperature sensing mechanism is removed and the valve then responds to water flow rate whereby if the flow rate through the valve is maintained above a set flow rate, water is allowed to flow without restriction regardless of water temperature and whereby if the flow rate of water through the valve drops below a set flow rate the valve automatically switches back to the first mode of operation.
A valve comprising:
- a valve body with an upstream end and a downstream end;
- a thermal actuator coupled to said valve body;
- a piston engaging the thermal actuator;
- a slide mechanism for engaging said piston, the slide mechanism movable between a first position and a second position with respect to the valve body, the first position engaging said piston so as to substantially restrict the flow of water when the water is equal to or greater than a threshold temperature, wherein said second position adapted to allow the flow of water through the valve body regardless of the temperature of the water, said slide mechanism adapted to move between said first and said second position responsive to the flow of the water;
- and
- a member adapted to releasably couple with the slide so as to release the slide from the first position.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.