초록

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.

대표청구항 ▼

1. 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 sa

1. 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; andan activation valve positioned downstream of said second feedback controller that opens or closes the system to water flow. 2. The automated water temperature control system of claim 1 wherein: said first feedback control valve further comprises a steam plunger movable by a steam piston within a valve body, said steam plunger providing an open configuration that allows steam flow through said valve body, said steam plunger providing a restricted configuration that reduces steam flow through said valve body, said steam piston providing a force on said steam plunger towards said restricted configuration, and a spring providing a force on steam plunger towards said open configuration. 3. The automated water temperature control system of claim 2 wherein: said first feedback controller comprises a coil filled with an elastomer that expands when heated to provide a force to a capillary piston to contact said steam piston to control said first feedback control valve. 4. The automated water temperature control system of claim 2 wherein: said steam plunger further comprises a plunger shoulder and a plunger bottom wherein a plurality of holes are disposed within the periphery of said steam plunger, said plurality of holes allow for flow of steam from a steam inlet, through said plunger bottom to said plunger shoulder, towards a steam outlet. 5. The automated water temperature control system of claim 2 wherein: said steam plunger in a restricted configuration contacts an O-ring in said valve body to close said first feedback control valve to flow of steam through a steam passage and allow flow of steam through a plurality of holes disposed within a plunger shoulder. 6. The automated water temperature control system of claim 1 wherein: said second feedback control valve further comprises a first dished head and a second dished head connected to retain a diaphragm, a first space between said diaphragm and said first dished head, a second space between said diaphragm and said second dished head, said first space in fluid communication with a top supply port and a top drain port, said second space in fluid communication with a bottom supply port and a bottom drain port, said diaphragm engaged by an activation screw so that a pressure in said second space less than the pressure in said first space forces said diaphragm and said activation screw towards a valve body and forces a valve cage to overcome a spring to separate a plug from a cap seat interface and open the second feedback control valve. 7. The automated water temperature control system of claim 3, wherein: said first feedback controller further comprises a capillary piston guide retained by a guide nut threadedly attached to a capillary actuator cup containing a thermal channel filled with said elastomer, the expansion of said elastomer provides a force upon a diaphragm adjacent to an actuator plug which transmits the force to an antiextrusion disc which transfers the force to a capillary piston disposed within a heat dissipater having a threaded distal end suited for attachment to said first feedback control valve, the movement of said capillary piston affecting movement of said steam piston to control said first feedback control valve. 8. The automated water temperature control system of claim 7, further comprising: a swivel threadedly attached to said capillary piston guide, a retaining ring positioned within a circumferential groove, at least one set screw retaining said heat dissipater between said swivel and said retaining ring, the removal of said at least one set screw allowing said heat dissipater to be rotated to effect threaded connection of said threaded distal end of said heat dissipater to stem threads of said first feedback control valve. 9. The automated water temperature control system of claim 1, wherein: said second mixing valve further comprises a spool disposed within a spool guide, said spool having a primary supply slot, and a tempered slot, said spool guide having a supply port and a tempered port. 10. The automated water temperature control system of claim 9, further comprising: a thermal actuator retained within a cup by a molded diaphragm, a piston disposed within a piston sleeve threadedly attached to a threaded guide retained by a cup lip, wherein said thermal actuator upon heating expands and forces said molded diaphragm into an elastomeric plug that transfers the force to an antiextrusion disc to force the piston against a calibration stem to overcome an operating spring and move said spool within said spool guide to at least partially align said primary supply slot with said supply port and allow the flow of third water supply path into said second mixing valve. 11. The automated water temperature control system of claim 10, further comprising: said calibration stem threadedly connected to an end cap providing that turning said calibration stem determines the position of said piston disposed within a threaded guide, said threaded guide threadedly connected to a spacer that controls the position of said spool within said spool guide to adjust the amount of said third water supply path and the amount of tempered water entering a valve body. 12. The automated water temperature control system of claim 10, wherein: upon failure of said cup, said operating spring moves said spool within said spool guide to align a secondary supply slot disposed within said spool to align said secondary supply slot with said supply port to allow the flow of supply water through said second mixing valve. 13. The automated water temperature control system of claim 1, wherein: said first thermal actuator controls a piston to move a piston casing to contact a seat O-ring to close said first mixing valve to said heated water path. 14. The automated water temperature control system of claim 13 wherein: said piston casing further comprises a poppet that upon failure of said first thermal actuator, is moved by a spring to contact said poppet with said seat O-ring to close said first mixing valve to said heated water path. 15. 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; andan 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. 16. The automated water temperature control system of claim 15, wherein: said first feedback controller further comprises a coil filled with silicone oil that provides movement of a capillary piston of at least 0.003 inches per degree F. temperature increase in a temperature range of at least 75 degrees F. to 150 degrees F. 17. The automated water temperature control system of claim 15, wherein: said first thermal actuator expands to completely close said heated water path upon contact with water at 105 degrees F. or greater. 18. The automated water temperature control system of claim 15, wherein: said second thermal actuator expands to completely close said tempered water path upon contact with water at 95 degrees F. or greater.