# US 8,464,962 B2 · 3-stage temperature control valve > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 8,464,962 B2 - Document ID: US8464962B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 12/807,719 - Filed: 2010-09-13 - Published: 2011-07-28 - Granted: 2013-06-18 - Earliest claimed: 2005-01-14 - Assignees: ShowerStart, LLC - Applicants: John Lockhart - Inventors: John Lockhart - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US8464962B2 ## CPC - G05D 23/022: {the sensing element being placed within a regulating fluid flow} - E03C 1/0408: {Water installations especially for showers (E03C1/06 takes precedence; shower heads B05B1/18)} - F16K 31/002: {actuated by temperature variation (thermo-electric F16K31/025)} - E03C 2001/0418: {having temperature indicating means} - G05D: SYSTEMS FOR CONTROLLING OR REGULATING NON-ELECTRIC VARIABLES - E03C: DOMESTIC PLUMBING INSTALLATIONS FOR FRESH WATER OR WASTE WATER (not connected to either water-supply main or to waste pipe A47K; devices of the kind used in the ground E03B, E03F); SINKS - 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 temperature control valve that effectively manages fluid pressure therethrough, including pressure differentials which may exist therein, such as from the upstream port to the downstream port, and about a piston slidingly disposed therewithin proximate a fluid flow path. In one embodiment a 3 stage valve is provided whereby fluid flows therethrough when the piston is in a first position, fluid flow is inhibited in a second piston position, and an override third position whereby fluid flows therethrough. When the piston is in the second position, the fluid pressure differential across the piston is balanced and an axial spring force on the piston is relatively small, thereby reducing any subsequent axial force required to advance the piston to the third free flow position, and allowing the valve to be comprised of cheaper materials including plastic. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A valve for controlling the flow of a fluid therethrough, comprising: a main body having a wall defining a channel extending therethrough between an inlet port and an outlet port; a sleeve axially disposed in the main body; and a piston having a proximal end and a distal end and axially disposed in the sleeve, the piston configurable in a first position whereby the fluid is permitted to flow from the inlet port through the valve, a second position distal the first position and established by a temperature sensitive actuator whereby the fluid is restricted from flowing through the valve, and a third position distal the second position whereby the fluid is permitted to flow from the inlet port through the valve, wherein a fluid pressure at the piston proximal end and the piston distal end piston is substantially balanced when the piston is in the second position. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The valve as specified in claim 1 wherein the fluid pressure at the piston proximal end and the piston distal end is substantially balanced in the first, second and third positions. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The valve as specified in claim 1 wherein substantially no fluid pressure at the inlet port is communicated to the piston proximal end when the piston is in the second position. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The valve as specified in claim 1 wherein a flow passageway is defined between the sleeve and the piston. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The valve as specified in claim 4 wherein the flow passageway is configured to selectively allow fluid flow therethrough. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The valve as specified in claim 5 wherein fluid at the inlet port is configured to flow about the piston and through the flow passageway when the piston is in the third position. ### Claim 7 (depends on 5) The valve as specified in claim 5 wherein fluid at the inlet port is not configured to flow about the piston and through the flow passageway when the piston is in the second position. ### Claim 8 (depends on 5) The valve as specified in claim 5 wherein fluid at the inlet port is not configured to flow about the piston and through the flow passageway when the piston is in the first position. ### Claim 9 (depends on 4) The valve as specified in claim 4 wherein the sleeve has a sleeve wall comprising at least one opening therethrough and in fluid communication with the flow passageway. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The valve as specified in claim 9 wherein the piston forms a fluid seal with the sleeve each side of the sleeve opening. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The valve as specified in claim 1 further comprising a spring biasing the piston toward the first position. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The valve as specified in claim 1 wherein the temperature sensitive actuator comprises paraffin wax, configured such that the temperature sensitive actuator is configured to urge the piston distally when heated. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The valve as specified in claim 12 wherein the temperature sensitive actuator is disposed in a proximal portion of the piston. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The valve as specified in claim 1 further comprising a selectively movable member configured to permit the piston to extend from the second position to the third position upon movement of the member. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The valve as specified in claim 14 wherein the member is configured to permit a fluid pressure at the inlet port to be communicated to a proximal end of the piston upon movement of the member. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The valve as specified in claim 15 wherein the fluid pressure at the proximal end of the piston is configured to move the piston from the second position to the third position. ### Claim 17 (depends on 14) The valve as specified in claim 14 wherein the sleeve comprises an opening configured to communicate fluid from the inlet port to the piston upon movement of the member. ### Claim 18 (depends on 1) The valve as specified in claim 1 further comprising a spring disposed between the piston and the temperature sensitive actuator. ### Claim 19 (depends on 1) The valve as specified in claim 1 wherein the valve is disposed in a hot/cold water temperature mixing valve. ### Claim 20 A valve for controlling the flow of a fluid therethrough, comprising: a main body having a wall defining a channel extending therethrough between an inlet port and an outlet port; a member axially disposed in the main body; and a piston having a proximal end and a distal end and axially disposed in the member, the piston configurable in a first position whereby the fluid is permitted to flow from the inlet port through the valve, a second position distal the first position and established by a temperature sensitive actuator whereby the fluid is restricted from flowing through the valve, and a third position distal the second position whereby the fluid is permitted to flow from the inlet port through the valve, wherein a flow passageway is defined between the piston and the member and configured to permit fluid to selectively pass therethrough. ### Claim 21 (depends on 20) The valve as specified in claim 20 wherein the flow passageway is configured pass fluid only when the piston is in the second position. ### Claim 22 (depends on 21) The valve as specified in claim 21 wherein a differential pressure across the piston is balanced when the piston is in all three positions. ### Claim 23 (depends on 22) The valve as specified in claim 22 wherein a fluid pressure across the piston is balanced when the piston is in all three positions. ### Claim 24 (depends on 20) The valve as specified in claim 20 wherein the valve is disposed in a hot/cold water temperature mixing valve. ### Claim 25 (depends on 24) The valve as specified in claim 24 wherein the valve is disposed in a hot/cold water temperature mixing valve. ### Claim 26 A valve for controlling the flow of a fluid therethrough, comprising: a main body having a wall defining a channel extending therethrough between an inlet port and an outlet port; a member axially disposed in the main body; and a piston having a proximal end and a distal end and axially disposed in the member and configurable in a first position whereby the fluid is permitted to flow from the inlet port through the valve, a second position distal the first position and established by a temperature sensitive actuator whereby the fluid is restricted from flowing through the valve, and a third position distal the second position whereby the fluid is permitted to flow from the inlet port through the valve, wherein a fluid pressure at the inlet port is not communicated to the piston proximal end when the piston is in the second position. ### Claim 27 (depends on 26) The valve as specified in claim 26 wherein the fluid pressure at the inlet port is communicated to the piston proximal end when the piston is in the third position. ### Claim 28 (depends on 26) The valve as specified in claim 26 further comprising a spring configured to urge the piston proximally. ### Claim 29 (depends on 28) The valve as specified in claim 28 wherein a fluid pressure across the piston is balanced when the piston is in all three positions.