초록 ▼

A method and apparatus for controlling the mixing of two fluids to form a mixed fluid, and the volume discharge rate of the mixed fluid. In a particular application, the two fluids are hot and cold water, and the mixing is controlled to effect temperature control of the mixed water. A specially-desi

A method and apparatus for controlling the mixing of two fluids to form a mixed fluid, and the volume discharge rate of the mixed fluid. In a particular application, the two fluids are hot and cold water, and the mixing is controlled to effect temperature control of the mixed water. A specially-designed integral temperature control and volume control valve is included as part of the system. Operation of the valve is controlled by two stepper motors, which in turn are controlled by signals developed by a control unit. Means for setting a desired temperature and volume rate discharge, as well as means for displaying the set temperature and volume rate discharge, are also provided.

대표청구항 ▼

An apparatus for a system including a source of cold water under pressure, a source of hot water under pressure, and a water outlet, for controlling the temperature and volume rate of discharge of water flowing out of said water outlet, said apparatus comprising: data entry means for entering volume

An apparatus for a system including a source of cold water under pressure, a source of hot water under pressure, and a water outlet, for controlling the temperature and volume rate of discharge of water flowing out of said water outlet, said apparatus comprising: data entry means for entering volume rate data indicating a desired volume rate and for entering temperature data indicating a desired temperature; temperature sensing means for sensing the temperature of said flowing water and for producing a measured temperature signal indicative of the sensed temperature; control means, responsive to said data entry means and said temperature sensing means, for producing a volume rate control signal in accordance with said volume rate data, and for producing a temperature control signal in accordance with said temperature data and said measured temperature signal; a control valve means including a cold water port adapted to be connectable to said source of cold water under pressure, a hot water port adapted to be connectable to said source of hot water under pressure, and an outlet port adapted to be connectable to said water outlet, and connected to said control means, for mixing said hot and cold water in a predetermined ratio to form mixed water having said desired temperature in response to said temperature control signal and for permitting said mixed water to flow through said outlet port at a predetermined volume rate corresponding to said desired volume rate in response to said volume rate control signal, said control valve means comprising a mixing chamber; a first valve member in fluid communication with said hot water port, said cold water, and said mixing chamber, and arranged to admit hot water from said hot water port and cold water from said cold water port into said mixing chamber in said predetermined volume ratio according to an angular position of said first valve member; a first stepper motor responsively connected to said control means and mechanically coupled to said first valve member to control the angular position of said first valve member in accordance with said temperature control signal; a second valve member in fluid communication with said outlet port and said mixing chamber, and arranged to permit water mixed in said mixing chamber to flow from said mixing chamber to said outlet port at said predetermined volume rate according to an angular position of said second valve member; and a second stepper motor responsively connected to said control means and mechanically coupled to said second valve member to control the angular position of said second valve member in accordance with said volume rate control signal; first means coupled to said first valve member for sensing the angular position of said first valve member and generating a first angular position signal indicative of the sensed angular position of said first valve member; and second means coupled to said second valve member for sensing the angular position of said second valve member and generating a second angular position signal indicative of the sensed angular position of said second valve member, wherein said control means produces said temperature control signal further in accordance with said first sensed angular position and produces said volume rate control signal further in accordance with said second sensed angular position.