Thermostatic mixing valve

In a thermostatic mixing valve configured to produce a mixed fluid substantially of a particular temperature from a first fluid of a temperature higher than the particular temperature and a second fluid of a temperature lower than the particular temperature, the mixing valve including a valve body having a first fluid inlet, a second fluid inlet, and a mixed fluid outlet, and a thermostatic control device in fluid communication with the mixed fluid, the improvement comprising:

• a cylindrical liner adapted and configured to be located within a cavity of the body, said liner having a cylindrical wall extending between first and second opposing ends, a first end being opened and the second end including a radially extending end wall, said cylindrical wall including first and second flow passages extending therethrough and being spaced apart between the first end and the end wall, said cylindrical wall including a seal groove located between said first and second flow passages, said cylindrical wall having an inner diameter;
• a shuttle receivable with the inner diameter of said liner, the position of said shuttle within said liner being established at least in part by the thermostat, said shuttle having a first end with a radially extending end wall, said shuttle having an interior pocket and a third flow passage from the interior pocket to the exterior of said shuttle;
• a spring for biasing said shuttle apart from said liner;
• a cylindrical valve seat having two ends, one end including an outwardly radially extending surface adapted and configured for abutting contact with the end wall of said shuttle, the other end of said valve seat being receivable within the inner diameter of said liner.

An apparatus for a thermostatic mixing valve configured to produce a mixed fluid substantially of a particular temperature from a first fluid of a temperature higher than or equal to the particular temperature and a second fluid of a temperature lower than or equal to the particular temperature, the mixing valve including a valve body having a first fluid inlet, a second fluid inlet, and a mixed fluid outlet, and a thermostatic control device in fluid communication with the mixed fluid, comprising:

• a valve member configured to control the rate of flow of the first fluid and the rate of flow of the second fluid, the valve member including a shuttle capable of being coupled to the thermostatic control device, configured for movement within a liner, and oriented to adjustably engage in opposing relationship the flow of the first fluid and the flow of the second fluid, the direction of movement of the shuttle with respect to the liner defining the major longitudinal axis of the thermostatic mixing valve, the thermostatic control device exerting a force upon the shuttle corresponding to the temperature of the mixed fluid;
• the directions of flow of the first fluid and the second fluid being at least partially transverse with respect to the major longitudinal axis of the thermostatic mixing valve;
• an auxiliary valve seat configured to coact with the shuttle so that engagement of the shuttle and the auxiliary valve seat obstructs the flow of at least the first fluid upon a failure of the thermostatic control device;
• and
• a spring for exerting a force opposing the extending force of the thermostatic control device, the shuttle being biased to a particular position in said liner.