Valve with heating element
AssigneeKohler Mira Limited
InventorKevin T. Peel
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A faucet that includes a base, a spout, a valve body, a first flow control valve, a second flow control valve, and an electric heater. The valve body includes a first end section, a second end section having an outlet, and a center section provided between the end sections and including first and second inlets configured to receive cold and hot water, respectively. The first flow control valve is located within a first waterway of the valve body to control the flow of cold water, and the second flow control valve is located within a second waterway of the valve body to control the flow of hot water. The electric heater extends through the valve body and is configured to heat a surface defining at least a part of one of the first and second waterways of the valve body to an elevated temperature sufficient to kill organisms therein.
Claims14
A faucet comprising:
- a body having a mounting base, a spout, and a passageway configured to discharge water;
- and
- a valve provided within the spout of the body, the valve comprising:
- a first inlet configured to receive cold water;
- a second inlet configured to receive hot water;
- an outlet configured to output cold water, hot water, or a mixture thereof to the passageway of the body;
- a first waterway fluidly connecting the first inlet and the outlet;
- a second waterway fluidly connecting the second inlet and the outlet;
- a first flow control valve located within the first waterway and configured to be moveable to control the flow of cold water through the first waterway;
- a second flow control valve located within the second waterway and configured to be moveable to control the flow of hot water through the second waterway;
- and
- an electric heater extending through at least a portion of the valve and configured to heat both of the first and second waterways of the valve to an elevated temperature sufficient to kill organisms within each waterway;
- wherein the first and the second inlets are located on opposite sides of the valve from one another.
A faucet comprising:
- a body comprising a thermally-insulating material and having a passageway configured to discharge water;
- and
- a valve provided within the body, the valve comprising:
- a first inlet configured to receive cold water;
- a second inlet configured to receive hot water;
- an outlet configured to output cold water, hot water, or a mixture thereof to the passageway of the body;
- a first end section;
- a second end section that includes the outlet;
- a center section provided between the first and second end sections, wherein the center section comprises the first and second inlets and a thermally-conductive material;
- a first waterway fluidly connecting the first inlet and the outlet;
- a second waterway fluidly connecting the second inlet and the outlet;
- a first flow control valve located within the first waterway and configured to be moveable to control the flow of cold water through the first waterway;
- a second flow control valve located within the second waterway and configured to be moveable to control the flow of hot water through the second waterway;
- and
- an electric heater extending through at least a portion of the valve and configured to heat both of the first and second waterways of the valve to an elevated temperature sufficient to kill organisms within each waterway
- wherein the electric heater is potted into a through bore in the center section of the valve using a thermally-conductive adhesive.
A faucet comprising:
- a body having a mounting base, a spout, and a passageway configured to discharge water;
- a valve provided within the spout of the body, the valve comprising:
- a first inlet configured to receive cold water;
- a second inlet configured to receive hot water;
- an outlet configured to output cold water, hot water, or a mixture thereof to the passageway of the body;
- a first waterway fluidly connecting the first inlet and the outlet;
- a second waterway fluidly connecting the second inlet and the outlet;
- a first flow control valve located within the first waterway and configured to be moveable to control the flow of cold water through the first waterway;
- a second flow control valve located within the second waterway and configured to be moveable to control the flow of hot water through the second waterway;
- and
- an electric heater extending through at least a portion of the valve and configured to heat both of the first and second waterways of the valve to an elevated temperature sufficient to kill organisms within each waterway;
- and
- a second electric heater configured to heat the passageway to the elevated temperature.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.