초록 ▼

A thermostatic mixing valve for the mixing of a first fluid and a second fluid is disclosed. The thermostatic mixing valve is configured to produce a mixed fluid 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

A thermostatic mixing valve for the mixing of a first fluid and a second fluid is disclosed. The thermostatic mixing valve is configured to produce a mixed fluid 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 thermostatic mixing valve includes a valve body having a first fluid inlet, a second fluid inlet, and a mixed fluid outlet. The thermostatic mixing valve also includes a valve member configured to control the rate of flow of at least the first fluid. The valve member includes a thermostatic control device in communication with the mixed fluid and a shuttle coupled to the thermostatic control device, configured for movement within a liner, and oriented to adjustably engage the flow of at least the first fluid through at least one opening within a wall of the liner, the direction of flow of the first fluid being at least partially transverse with respect to the shuttle. At least one fluid inlet may include a check valve configured to prevent fluid from flowing out of the valve through the inlet. The check valve includes a first check valve member which is stationary, a second check valve member which is movable and engageable with the first check valve member, and a spring for urging the second check valve member into engagement with the first check valve member and for defining the path of motion of the second check valve member.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A method of mixing a first fluid and at least a second fluid in a mixing valve comprising:providing a valve body including a first fluid inlet, at least a second fluid inlet, and a fluid outlet, providing in at least one fluid inlet a check valve configured to prevent fluid from flowing out of th

1. A method of mixing a first fluid and at least a second fluid in a mixing valve comprising:providing a valve body including a first fluid inlet, at least a second fluid inlet, and a fluid outlet, providing in at least one fluid inlet a check valve configured to prevent fluid from flowing out of the valve through the at least one inlet, the check valve including: a first check valve member in the valve body; a second check valve member moveable within the valve body in a defined path of motion and engageable with the first check valve member; and a biasing device for urging the second check valve member into engagement with the first check valve member and for defining the path of motion of the second check valve member, the biasing member being the only mechanical connection between the valve body and the second check valve member when the second check valve member is in a position spaced apart from the first check valve member, such that the first fluid and the at least a second fluid are mixed in the valve body while preventing a flow out of the valve body through the at least on fluid inlet. 2. A method of mixing fluids comprising:providing a thermostatic mixing valve including a hot fluid inlet, a cold fluid inlet, a mixed fluid outlet, and a mixing chamber in fluid communication with the hot and cold inlets and the mixed fluid outlet; and providing a check valve including a valve body that provides a passageway between the mixing chamber and an inlet selected from the group consisting of the cold fluid inlet and the hot fluid inlet, a seat disposed in the passageway, a valve member configured to block the flow of fluid to the selected inlet, the valve member providing a sealing surface and being moveable along an axis between a sealed position engaging the seat to block the flow to fluid to the inlet and an opened position disengaging the seat to permit flow of fluid from the inlet, a guide member to guide the valve member for movement between the sealed and opened positions, the guide member extending around at least a majority of the valve member, and a biasing member to urge the valve member into the sealed position engaging the seat, the biasing member having first and second ends, coupling the first end of the biasing member to the valve body and the second end to the valve member, the biasing member being the only mechanical connection between the valve member and the valve body when the valve member is spaced apart from the seat, such that the fluids entering through the hot and cold fluid inlets are mixed in the valve body. 3. The method of claim 2, wherein providing the thermostatic mixing valve includes providing the thermostatic mixing valve wherein the guide member is a screen surrounding the valve member to limit movement of the valve member in a radial direction beyond the predetermined distance.4. The method of claim 3, wherein providing the thermostatic mixing valve includes providing the thermostatic mixing valve wherein the screen is cylindrical to define a bore and the valve member moves between the sealed and opened positions within the bore.5. The method of claim 3, wherein providing the thermostatic mixing valve includes providing the thermostatic mixing valve wherein the screen is cylindrical about the axis.6. The method of claim 2, wherein providing the thermostatic mixing valve includes providing the thermostatic mixing valve wherein the biasing member is a spring and the valve member includes threads to mount the spring to the valve member, the threads configured to match the configuration of the second spring end.7. The method of claim 2, wherein proving the thermostatic mixing valve includes providing the thermostatic mixing valve wherein the valve body is formed to include a threaded aperture, includes the valve body, and a threaded shutoff stem disposed in the threaded aperture, the shutoff stem being moveable between an opened position wherein the shutoff stem is spaced apart from the valve member and permits the valve member to move with respect to the seat and a shutoff position engaging the valve member and forcing the valve member to engage the seat to prevent flow of fluid between the inlet and the mixing chamber.8. The method of claim 2, wherein providing the thermostatic mixing valve includes providing the thermostatic mixing valve wherein the biasing member is a spring, and the valve body includes a cap having threads to mount the spring to the valve body, the threads configured to mate with the first spring end.9. The method of claim 2, wherein providing the thermostatic mixing valve includes providing the thermostatic mixing valve wherein the seat is annular and defines a bore extending through the seat, the valve member provides a plug having an annular seal to engage the seat and an axially inner end that extends from the annular seal, the axially inner end configured to fit within the bore and extend into the bore when the seal engages the seat, the axially inner and further configured to prevent radial movement of the valve member past a predetermined position when extended into the bore.10. The method of claim 9, wherein providing the thermostatic mixing valve includes providing the thermostatic mixing valve wherein the axially inner end of the plug is frustoconically shaped.11. The method of claim 2, wherein providing the thermostatic mixing valve includes providing the thermostatic mixing valve further comprising a connector for connecting the valve member to the valve body, the connector consisting of a spring, the spring having a first end and a second end, the first end coupled to the valve body and the second coupled to the valve member.12. A method of mixing fluids in a valve comprising:providing a valve body including hot and cold fluids inlets each having a valve body passageway defining an axis and a valve seat about the axis, providing a check valve including a cap coupled to the valve body, a valve member disposed in at least one of the valve body passageways, the valve member being axially moveable between a sealed position engaging the seat and an opened position spaced apart from the seat, and a spring to urge the valve member into engagement with the seat, the spring having a first end engaging the cap and a second end coupled to the valve member, the spring being the only mechanical connection between the valve member and the cap when the valve member is spaced apart from the seat, such that the fluids entering the valve body through the hot and cold fluid inlets are mixed in the valve body. 13. The method of claim 12, wherein providing a check valve includes providing a check valve further comprising a guide member extending at least partially around the valve member to limit radial movement of the valve member when the valve member is spaced apart for the seat.14. The method of claim 13, wherein providing a check valve includes providing a check valve wherein the guide member is a screen positioned to filter fluid flowing past the check valve.15. The method of claim 12, wherein providing a check valve includes providing a check valve wherein the cap includes cap threads and the first spring end mates to the cap threads to secure the spring to the cap.16. The method of claim 15, wherein providing a check valve includes providing a check valve wherein the valve member includes second threads and the second spring end mates to the second threads to secure the spring to the valve member.17. The method of claim 12, wherein providing a check valve includes providing a check valve further comprising a shutoff stem coupled to the cap, the shutoff stem being moveable between a retracted position permitting movement of the valve member and a shutoff position preventing movement of the valve member.18. The method of claim 17, wherein providing a check valve includes providing a check valve wherein the spring is a coil spring having a central axis and the shutoff stem lies along the central axis.19. The method of claim 18, wherein providing a check valve includes providing a check valve wherein one of the second end or the valve member includes a tip to engage a recess provided by the other of the second end or the valve member, the tip and the recess being complementary is shape.20. A method of mixing fluids comprising:providing a fluid conducting structure; and providing a check valve in a passageway of the fluid conducting structure defining an axis, the check valve comprising: a cap coupled to the structure, a seat disposed in the passageway and spaced apart from the cap, a valve member axially moveable between a sealed position engaging the seat and an opened position spaced apart from the seat, and a spring urging the valve member to engage the seat, the spring having a first end and a second, opposite end, wherein the cap is formed to include cap threads and the first spring end mates with the cap threads to threadedly secure the spring to the cap, such that the fluid entering the fluid conducting structure is mixed with at least a second fluid after flowing past the check valve. 21. The method of claim 20, wherein providing a check valve includes providing a check valve wherein the valve member presents an axially downwardly facing annular seal surface to engage the seat.22. The method of claim 21, wherein providing a check valve includes providing a check valve wherein the seal surface provides an interior opening and an axially inner end extends through the opening and is coupled to the valve member, an edge of the axially inner end being configured to engage an interior edge of the seat the prevent radial movement of the valve member beyond a predetermined position.23. The method of claim 20, wherein providing a check valve includes providing a check valve further comprising a screen disposed in the passageway to surround at least a portion of the valve member, the screen preventing radial movement of the valve member past a predetermined lateral position.24. The method of claim 20, wherein providing a check valve includes providing a check valve wherein the screen is cylindrical and defines a bore in which the valve member moves, the screen limiting radial movement of the valve member.25. The method of claim 20, wherein providing a check valve includes providing a check valve wherein the screen surrounds a majority of the valve member and is positioned to filter water flowing through the check valve.26. The method of claim 20, wherein providing a check valve includes providing a check valve wherein the cap provides a threaded aperture extending through the cap, the cap including a threaded shutoff stem disposed at least partially in the aperture, the stem having a first end facing away from the valve member and a second end facing the valve member, the stem being moveable between a retracted position permitting movement of the valve member and a shutoff position preventing movement of the valve member.27. The method of claim 26, wherein providing a check valve includes providing a check valve wherein the second end of the stem engages the valve member to prevent movement of the valve member when the stem is in the shutoff position.28. The method of claim 25, wherein providing a check valve includes providing a check valve wherein one of the second end or the valve member includes a tip to engage a recess provided by the other of the second end or the valve member, the tip and the recess being complementary in shape.29. The method of claim 20, wherein providing a check valve includes providing a check valve wherein the moveable valve member includes second threads and the second spring end mates to the second threads to threadedly secure the spring to the valve member.30. A method of mixing a first fluid with at least a second fluid to produce a mixed fluid comprising:providing a mixing valve including a valve body including a first fluid inlet, a second fluid inlet, a third fluid inlet, and a fluid outlet; providing in the first fluid inlet a check valve comprising a moveable valve member and a set, the valve member engaging the seat to inhibit fluid from flowing out of the mixing valve through the first fluid inlet, the third inlet being positioned between the seat and the fluid outlet, such that the first fluid and the at least a second fluid are mixed in the valve body. 31. The method of claim 30, wherein providing a mixing valve includes providing a mixing valve wherein the first fluid inlet is a fluid inlet for relatively colder fluid.32. The method of claim 30, wherein providing a mixing valve includes providing a mixing valve wherein the third fluid inlet is adjacent the moveable valve member.33. The method of claim 30, wherein providing a mixing valve includes providing a mixture valve further comprising a mixing chamber between the fluid inlets and the fluid outlet, and wherein the third fluid inlet is between the mixing chamber and a seat.