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US 8,505,579 B2Granted
Selectable fluid valve assembly
AssigneeKohler Co.
InventorsJohn C. Esche, Leila M. Rubin, David Eugene Hansen
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Valve assemblies are provided that have a selection member engaged with a housing to provide control of fluid communication between first and second fluid pathways. Positioning the selection member within a selection cavity of the housing provides fluid communication with a corresponding fluid pathway. An optional locking member can engage the valve assembly to prevent fluid communication with at least one fluid pathway.
Claims23
A valve assembly comprising:
- a housing having a seating cavity, a first pattern of multiple selection cavities, and at least one first and second fluid pathway, wherein the first pattern is one of a Y pattern or a T pattern;
- a selection member having a seating portion and an engagement portion movable within the pattern of selection cavities;
- and a locking member configured to prevent fluid communication between a first of the at least one first fluid pathway and a first of the at least one second fluid pathway;
- wherein at least a portion of the seating portion is contained within a portion of the seating cavity, and wherein the engagement portion moves through a first position when the engagement portion is moved between the selection cavities.
1 more element
A fluid dispenser assembly comprising:
- a dispenser housing having at least one fluid inlet and at least one fluid outlet;
- a valve assembly located in the dispenser housing, the valve assembly comprising:
- a housing having a seating cavity, at least one selection cavity, at least one fluid inlet fluidly coupled to the at least one fluid outlet of the dispenser housing and at least one fluid outlet fluidly coupled to the at least one fluid outlet of the dispenser housing;
- and
- a selection member having a seating portion and an engagement portion;
- wherein at least a portion of the seating portion is contained within a portion of the seating cavity;
- and
- a locking member configured to prevent fluid communication between a first fluid pathway and a second fluid pathway.
5 more elements
A fluid dispenser assembly comprising:
- a dispenser housing having at least one fluid inlet and at least two fluid outlets;
- a valve assembly, the valve assembly comprising:
- a housing defining a seating cavity therein, defining at least one selection cavity extending through the housing to the seating cavity, having at least one inlet fluid pathway fluidly coupled to the at least one fluid inlet, having a first outlet fluid pathway fluidly coupled to a first of the at least two fluid outlets, and having a second outlet fluid pathway fluidly coupled to a second of the at least two fluid outlets;
- and a selection member having a seating portion and an engagement portion;
- wherein:
- at least a portion of the seating portion is contained within a portion of the seating cavity;
- the at least one selection cavity comprises a first selection cavity and a second selection cavity;
- when the selection member is positioned in the first selection cavity, fluid is directed to the first outlet fluid pathway;
- and when the selection member is position in the second selection cavity, fluid is directed to the second outlet fluid pathway;
- at least one process located between one of the first and second outlet fluid pathways and the at least two fluid outlets, the at least one process comprising a heater located between the first outlet fluid pathway and the first of the at least two fluid outlets;
- and a locking member having a first position that prevents the engagement portion from entering the first selection cavity, thereby preventing fluid communication between the inlet fluid pathway and the first outlet fluid pathway connected to the heater.
8 more elements
A valve assembly comprising:
- a housing including:
- a seating cavity therein;
- at least one first fluid pathway and at least one second fluid pathway, and an outer wall, wherein the outer wall defines a first pattern of multiple selection cavities, a selection member including:
- a seating portion, at least a portion of which is contained within a portion of the seating cavity;
- and an engagement portion movable within the first pattern of multiple selection cavities, wherein the engagement portion moves through a first position when the engagement portion is moved between the selection cavities;
- and a locking member configured to prevent fluid communication between a first of the at least one first fluid pathway and a first of the at least one second fluid pathway;
- wherein the locking member includes a rotatable ring having a first position that prevents the engagement portion from being positioned within at least one of the selection cavities and having a second position that allows the engagement portion to be positioned within the at least one of the selection cavities.
4 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.