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US 9,244,467 B2Granted
Automated water temperature control system
AssigneeTherm-Omega-Tech, Inc.
InventorGlenn Quinty
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A system of thermally activated feedback control valves and thermally activated sensors to provide heated fluid within a desired temperature range which operates consistently at high and low flow rates, suitable for control of combination safety shower and eyewash stations.
Claims18
An automated water temperature control system comprising:
- a steam path comprising a first feedback control valve and a second feedback control valve, said steam path delivering steam to a heat exchanger;
- a first water supply path delivering water to said heat exchanger which exchanges heat from said steam path to said first water path to produce heated water to a heated water path;
- a first feedback controller in contact with said heated water path, said first feedback controller comprising a thermally expansive substance to provide feedback control of said first feedback control valve;
- a first mixing valve connected to said heated water path and connected to a second water supply path, the first mixing valve controlled by a first thermal actuator to provide tempered water to a tempered water path;
- a second mixing valve connected to said tempered water path and a third water supply path, the second mixing valve controlled by a second thermal actuator to produce a tepid water stream;
- a second feedback controller in contact with said tepid water stream, the second feedback controller comprising a third thermal actuator to produce pressure communication signals to provide feedback control of said second feedback control valve;
- and
- an activation valve positioned downstream of said second feedback controller that opens or closes the system to water flow.
5 more elements
An automated water temperature control system for tepid water delivery, comprising:
- a steam path comprising a first feedback control valve having an open configuration and a restricted configuration, and a second feedback control valve having an open configuration and a closed configuration such that when second feedback control valve is in said open configuration, steam is delivered to a heat exchanger;
- a water supply path that provides water to said heat exchanger to produce a heated water path when second feedback control valve is in said open configuration;
- a first feedback controller in contact with said heated water path that puts said first feedback control valve in said restricted configuration when said heated water path is over about 130 degrees F.;
- a first mixing valve controlled by a first thermal actuator to mix said heated water path and a second water supply path to produce a tempered water path, wherein said first thermal actuator begins closing said second mixing valve to said heated water path upon sensing a temperature equal to or greater than 95 degrees F.;
- a second mixing valve controlled by a second thermal actuator to mix said tempered water path and a third water supply path to produce a tepid water stream, said second thermal actuator allowing alignment of a tempered slot in a spool with a tempered port in a spool guide when said tepid water steam is less than 80 degrees F., said second thermal actuator acting upon a piston to control the position of said spool relative to said spool guide and at least partially align a primary supply slot in said spool with a supply port in said spool guide at a temperature greater than 80 degrees F.;
- a second feedback controller in contact with said tepid water stream and opening said second feedback control valve upon sensing the flow of water in a fitting, the second feedback controller further comprising a third thermal actuator that expands when tepid water stream is greater than 95 degrees F. to provide a pressure signal to close said second feedback control valve;
- and
- an activation valve that when closed prevents the flow of water through the system and when open allows the flow of water through the system, the system delivering tepid water for use in a safety shower or eyewash.
5 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.