초록 ▼

The present invention is directed to methods and apparatus for tempering the temperature of a liquid in a fluid conducting system. More particularly, the invention relates to tempering the temperature of water supplied to a fixture from a water heater in a fluid conducting system. In some embodiment

The present invention is directed to methods and apparatus for tempering the temperature of a liquid in a fluid conducting system. More particularly, the invention relates to tempering the temperature of water supplied to a fixture from a water heater in a fluid conducting system. In some embodiments, the invention includes a restrictor for decreasing the fluid pressure in one of the hot inlet or cold inlet of the mixing valve.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A decontamination apparatus comprising: a fluid supply source,a first fluid line receiving fluid from the source,a heat exchange assembly receiving fluid from the source and configured to heat the fluid and provide a heated second fluid stream,a first mixing valve comprising a valve body formed t

1. A decontamination apparatus comprising: a fluid supply source,a first fluid line receiving fluid from the source,a heat exchange assembly receiving fluid from the source and configured to heat the fluid and provide a heated second fluid stream,a first mixing valve comprising a valve body formed to include a first fluid inlet to receive fluid from the first fluid line, a second fluid inlet to receive the heated second fluid stream from said heat exchange assembly, and a mixed fluid outlet,a restrictor adapted and configured for creating a pressure drop in the first fluid line;a nozzle coupled to the mixed fluid outlet configured to discharge the mixed fluid, anda support interconnecting at least the heat exchange assembly, first and second fluid lines, the first mixing valve, and the nozzle, the support operable to permit movement of the apparatus as a unit. 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said restrictor comprises one or more pressure reducing valves positioned between the first mixing valve and the first fluid line. 3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said restrictor comprises one or more pressure reducing valves positioned between the first mixing valve and the second fluid line. 4. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a second mixing valve comprising a valve body formed to include a first fluid inlet to receive the first fluid from the first fluid line, a second fluid inlet to receive a second fluid from a second fluid tine, and a mixed fluid outlet. 5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the support comprises a platform having a generally upwardly facing surface supporting the heat exchange assembly, first mixing valve, and nozzle, and a plurality of support members coupled to and extending downwardly from the platform. 6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the heat exchange assembly is an electric heater operable to heat the first fluid to at least about 180 degrees F. 7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein both the first and second fluid lines comprise fluid provided by the fluid supply source. 8. The apparatus of claim 7, further comprising a junction in fluid communication with the fluid supply inlet, the junction splitting flow of fluid from the fluid supply source into the first fluid line and the second fluid line. 9. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a diffuser coupled between the first fluid line and the first inlet to the first mixing valve, the diffuser including a first fluid conduit and at least a second fluid conduit, a majority of the first fluid conduit being surrounded by the second fluid conduit, the first and second conduits being coupled together to cause fluid to flow into the first conduit, pass through the first conduit, and into fluid outside the first conduit and in the second conduit. 10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the first conduit is formed to include a plurality of apertures, the first and second conduits are coupled together, and a first portion of the fluid flows through the plurality of apertures and a second portion of the fluid flows from the first conduit through an end of the first conduit into fluid outside the first conduit and in the second conduit. 11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the nozzle is a drench shower having fluid outlets directed at least partially downwardly. 12. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a filter in fluid connection with the first fluid line. 13. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a heat trap positioned in fluid connection with the first fluid line. 14. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said first mixing valve is a thermostatically controlled mixing valve, and the valve thermostatically controls the temperature of the mixed fluid. 15. A decontamination apparatus comprising: a fluid heater,a cold fluid supply line,a hot fluid supply line for supplying hot fluid from the fluid heater to a first thermostatic mixing valve,the first thermostatic mixing valve having a hot fluid inlet for receiving fluid from the hot fluid supply line, a cold fluid inlet for receiving fluid from the cold fluid supply line, and a mixed fluid outlet for supplying fluid to a mixed fluid supply line through which one, the other, or both of the hot and cold fluids flow from the first thermostatic mixing valve,at least one means for restricting flow of at least one of the cold fluid in the cold fluid line and the hot fluid in the hot fluid line;an emergency fixture connected to the mixed fluid supply line for supplying fluid therefrom to a user and configured to deliver the mixed fluid at a flow rate and pattern to decontaminate effectively at least a portion of the users body, anda diffuser coupled between the hot fluid supply line and the first thermostatic mixing valve for increasing the time over which a temperature change is observed at the hot fluid inlet. 16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the at least one means for restricting flow comprises one or more restrictors positioned between the first thermostatic mixing valve and at least one of the cold fluid supply line and the hot fluid supply line. 17. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the at least one means for restricting flow comprises one or more pressure reducing valves positioned between the first thermostatic mixing valve and at least one of the cold fluid supply line and the hot fluid supply line. 18. The apparatus of claim 15, further comprising a second thermostatic mixing valve having a hot fluid inlet for receiving fluid from the hot fluid supply line, a cold fluid inlet for receiving fluid from the cold fluid supply line, and a mixed fluid outlet for supplying fluid to a mixed fluid supply line through which one, the other, or both of the hot and cold fluids flow from the second thermostatic mixing valve. 19. The apparatus of claim 15, further comprising a heat trap positioned in fluid connection with the cold fluid supply line. 20. A decontamination apparatus comprising: a fluid supply inlet configured for coupling to a fluid supply source,a heater to heat fluid received from said fluid supply source;a decontamination fixture in fluid connection with the circulation network to receive mixed fluid from the mixed fluid outlet;a first mixing valve comprising a valve body formed to include a first fluid inlet to receive fluid from the source in a first fluid line, a second fluid inlet to receive heated fluid from a second fluid line, a chamber for mixing the first fluid and the second fluid to provide a mixed fluid, and a mixed fluid outlet for providing mixed fluid; andat least one means for restricting flow of the first fluid stream in the first fluid line, wherein fluid flowing through said restricting means is provided to said first mixing valve. 21. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein the at least one means for restricting flow comprises one or more restrictors. 22. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein the at least one means for restricting flow comprises one or-more pressure reducing valves. 23. The apparatus of claim 22 wherein a pressure reducing valve is placed in the first fluid line. 24. The apparatus of claim 22 wherein a pressure reducing valve is placed in the second fluid line. 25. The apparatus of claim 20, which further comprises a support interconnecting at least the heater and the decontamination fixture to permit movement of the apparatus as a unit wherein the support is a pallet into which the tines of a fork truck can be inserted to lift and move the apparatus as a unit. 26. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein the decontamination fixture includes a valve operated by an actuator, and operation of the actuator causes fluid to flow through the first mixing valve and through the decontamination fixture. 27. The apparatus of claim 26, wherein operation of the actuator causes the heater to ignite and heat the fluid flowing through the circulation network. 28. The apparatus of claim 20, further comprising a fuel tank to store fuel usable by the heater to generate heat for heating the fluid in the circulation network. 29. The apparatus of claim 20, further comprising a second mixing valve comprising a valve body formed to include a first fluid inlet to receive a first fluid from a first fluid line, a second fluid inlet to receive a second fluid from a second fluid line, and a mixed fluid outlet. 30. The apparatus of claim 20, further comprising a heat trap positioned in fluid connection with the first fluid line. 31. The apparatus of claim 20 wherein said first mixing valve is a thermostatically controlled mixing valve, and the valve thermostatically controls the temperature of the mixed fluid.