AU781751B2

AU781751B2 - A valve

Info

Publication number: AU781751B2
Application number: AU95150/01A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Aaron Christian Cunningham; Heath Graham Sharp
Original assignee: GSA Industries Australia Pty Ltd
Current assignee: Reliance Worldwide Corp Australia Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2000-11-30
Filing date: 2001-11-29
Publication date: 2005-06-09
Anticipated expiration: 2021-11-29
Also published as: AU9515001A

Description

P/00/01i1 Regulation 3.2

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990

ORIGINAL

COMPLETE SPECIFICATION STANDARD PATENT Invention Title: A VALVE Applicant: GSA INDUSTRIES (AUST.) PTY LTD method of performing it known to me: W. $rx Ttw. CUcO,'1r01SeCtFOR.MS1 Do 2 A VALVE The present invention relates to a valve, in particular a mixing valve for mixing hot and cold flows of water. It will be convenient therefore, to describe the invention in relation to a mixing valve constructed for that purpose, although it is to be appreciated that the invention embodies valves for other applications including liquid and fluid flow.

A typical mixing valve includes a pair of inlets, a mixing chamber and an outlet. A first of the inlets is arranged for connection to a supply of heated water, while the other inlet is connected to a supply of cold water. The two inlets communicate with the mixing chamber so that the hot and cold flows of water may be mixed therein, prior to egress through the outlet. This kind of valve is a tempering valve, as the hot water is tempered by the addition of cold water in the mixing chamber. To assist in its tempering function, the valve sometimes further includes a piston which is acted on by a temperature sensitive element and which governs the quantity of cold and hot water mixed together, so that in the event of a change in the temperature of the suppiied hot water, a corresponding change can be made to the quantity of hot and/or cold water being mixed together and so maintain the outlet water temperature S 20 constant.

A valve of the above kind has many possible applications, in such areas *as connections to showers, basins or sinks, clothes washing machines, water heaters etc, (hereinafter generally referred to as "appliances"). Appliances which employ valves of the above kind normally include a direct cold water connection, as well as a connection for the valve. For example, in a hand basin, a direct connection is provided for the cold water tap, while a second connection facilitates connection of the valve between the hot water supply and the hot water tap. The valve is also connected to a supply of cold water for mixing with the hot water before flowing to the hot water tap. There generally therefore is at least two connections made to the appliance, namely the cold water supply connection and the valve connection. Each of these connections add bulk to the appliance and additionally add cost to the appliance, as each normally requires different fittings and plumbing. It has been recognised .6 3 therefore, that both the bulk and cost associated with such appliances could be reduced by an arrangement employing a reduced member of connections.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a valve which overcomes or at least alleviates one or more of the above drawbacks.

According to the present invention there is provided a valve, including first and second inlet ports and an outlet port, each of which communicates with a mixing chamber, said first and second inlet ports being arranged for connection to liquid or fluid supplies, which in use, enter said mixing chamber for mixing prior to exit through said outlet port, a second outlet port being in communication with said first inlet port for flow of liquid or fluid (hereinafter "liquid") from said first inlet port to said second outlet port for egress therethrough and control means for control of liquid through said valve.

For the purposes of this description, reference will hereinafter be made only to the word "liquid", given the principal application of the invention in 15 systems relating to water control. However, this should not be considered as limiting the use of the valve to such systems, as the invention may be applicable in systems in which other forms of liquids are employed, or in which gases are employed or other forms of fluids.

By provision of the second outlet port, a valve according to the invention S 20 advantageously facilitates flow of liquid through the valve other than via the main outlet (hereinafter described as the first outlet port) through which the mixed water flows. Accordingly, the second outlet port may be employed to take the place of a further connection, such as a T-piece, separate from the valve, which might otherwise be necessary. In particular and as an example, the second outlet port may be employed in a hand basin facilitating connection of the cold water supply, say from mains or tank, to the cold water tap, and the arrangement can be such that only a single connection of the valve to the basin is required, instead of two separate connections for the mains or tank water as well as the valve. This is possible because the valve still employs an inlet for cold water that communicates with the mixing chamber, but additionally provides communication between that inlet and the second outlet. Thus, the valve can have application in assemblies in which two separate flows of the same liquid are required. This is particularly the case with hand basin assemblies and the like, in which a cold water supply is required for a cold 4 water tap or faucet, and a further cold water supply is required for a tempering valve as above described. In a valve according to the invention, a single cold water connection to the valve can replace the two separate connections previously required. Clearly, the valve of the invention could have other applications.

In the arrangement of the invention, space benefits can be obtained, by the requirement for a single connection facility only. That connection facility may still require communication with different sections of the appliance to ensure proper distribution of liquid, but the actual connection need not necessarily be in separate sections of the appliance. Additionally, installation of an appliance to which the valve is fitted can be less time consuming, because of the reduced number of connections required. Furthermore, cost advantages can arise by way of a single connection between the valve and the facility to which it is connected, so removing the need for additional fittings and plumbing.

The second outlet port of a valve according to the invention may be formed in any suitable manner in communication with the first inlet port. Thus, for example, the respective ports may communicate through a flow passage extending between them. That flow passage may extend in any suitable manner and in a preferred arrangement, the flow passage has a first section which also accommodates flow of liquid between the first inlet port and the mixing chamber. That section of the flow passage is therefore common to the o two liquid flows, which flow respectively between the first inlet port and the second outlet port and between the first inlet port and the mixing chamber. In the preferred arrangement, the flow passage has a second section which accommodates only the flow of liquid to the second outlet port.

The control means can take any suitable form and can provide a controlling effect through the valve in respect of any one or more of liquid temperature, pressure or flow rate. In a preferred arrangement of the invention, the control means is in the form of regulating means for regulating the ratio of liquid mixed in the mixing chamber. The regulating means may take any suitable form and in one form, a temperature sensitive element or thermostatic element is disposed at least partly within the mixing chamber and a piston is fixed to the element to shift with the element as it reacts to changes in the temperature of liquid in the mixing chamber. Movement of the piston is such as to shift it between a pair of valve seats, to alter the respective volumes of liquid from the first and second inlet ports that enter the mixing chamber.

The control means could alternatively have a different form, and could be provided by suitable valve means, that react to pressure or flow volume to provide a contrdlling effect. Such control means may be disposed at any one or more of the respective inlet and outlets, or may for example be disposed within the mixing chamber.

In the preferred arrangement of the invention, the flow passage between the first inlet port and the second outlet port, extends past or through the piston.

In the case of a water heater assembly, the cold water supply can be connected to the first inlet port, and communication between that inlet port and the second outlet port through the flow passage provides for cold water connection to the water heater through the second outlet port. Additionally, the first section of the flow passage provides for cold water connection to the mixing chamber of the valve for mixing with hot water that enters the valve through the second inlet.

Alternatively, the reverse to the above arrangement can apply, whereby the cold waLer supply is connecied io ihe second iniet port and a hot water suppiy is connected to the first inlet port. In that arrangement, hot water can flow from the first inlet port to each of the second outlet port and the mixing chamber, while cold water flows directly from the second inlet port to the mixing chamber.

S"In the above arrangement the common or first section of the flow passage is for flow of liquid to both the mixing chamber and the second section of the flow passage. The actual ratio of liquid that flows to the second section and the mixing chamber is dependent on the dimensions of the valve and the position of the piston, if provided, as well as the requirements for liquid flow. In the case of a hand basin assembly, flow through the second outlet port is only required when the cold water tap is turned on. Likewise, egress flow of liquid through the first outlet port from the mixing chamber only occurs when the hot water tap is turned on. Liquid flow may therefore vary through the first section of the flow passage as necessary to feed both the second section of the flow passage and/or the mixing chamber.

Thus, the invention provides a valve having two flow passages for liquid which enters through the first inlet port. A portion of that liquid may flow through a first of those passages and into the mixing chamber of the valve, while the 6 remaining portion may flow through the second passage and exit the valve through the second outlet port. The respective portions that flow through the flow passages may vary and it is possible that under certain circumstances the entire liquid flow may flow through only one of the flow passages.

In one preferred form of the invention, the first inlet port is formed adjacent the second inlet port and this is particularly advantageous in relation to the use of the invention in a hand basin assembly. In this arrangement, the connection of the valve of the invention to the hand basin may comprise a single connection that facilitates ingress of cold and hot water respectively through the appropriate inlet ports. In one arrangement, a wall separates the respective inlet ports and flow passages extending from the respective ports are .defined and separated by that wall. In one arrangement, the wall terminates at or adjacent the regulating means such as in sealed engagement against the piston of the regulating means.

The respective flow passages extending from the adjacent inlet ports may be of equal or different capacity and this is dependent on the desired valve har a ter1sti C S.

The attached drawings show example embodiments of the invention of the foregoing kind. The particularity of those drawings and the associated description does not supersede the generality of the preceding broad S °description of the invention.

Figure 1 shows a cross-sectional view of a valve according to one aspect o. of the present invention. The valve 10 includes a first inlet port 11 and a first outlet port 12. The valve 10 further includes a second outlet port 13 and a second inlet port 14. Each of the inlet and outlet ports is associated with a flow passage, represented by the same reference numeral and prime.

The valve 10 is of a thermostatic kind, such that it includes a mixing chamber 15, for mixing liquids from the first inlet port 11 and the second inlet port 14. Disposed partially within the mixing chamber 15 is a thermostatic element 16 which controls the position of a piston 17. The element 16 is temperature sensitive and the piston 17 is fixed to an upper end 18 of the element 16. A plunger disposed (not shown) within the outer housing 19 of the element 16 is fixed at one end to the base 20 of a threaded adjuster cap 21 and rotation of the cap 21 can alter the position of the element 16 and the piston 17.

7 The temperature sensitivity of the element 16 is such as to react to the temperature of the liquid within the mixing chamber 15 and to cause the housing 19 to shift axially and to correspondingly shift the piston 17. The piston 17 is shifted relative to two seating surfaces 17' and 17" a first of which controls the amount of liquid flowing through the passage 11' and into the mixing chamber 15, and the other of which controls the amount of liquid flowing through the passage 14' and into the mixing chamber 15. A shift away from one of these seating surfaces results in a shift toward the other of those surfaces.

Accordingly, an increase in flow past one seating surface results in a decrease in flow past the other. By this arrangement, the ratio of hot to cold water being mixed in the mixing chamber may be altered to alter the temperature of water ;•egressing through the first outlet port 12.

*A spring 22 maintains the plunger in contact with the base 20 of the cap 21.

The passage 14' is separated from the passage 13' by a wall 23. The wall 23 terminates at one end in sealing engagement with the outer radial suracue uF iile pisiouni i7, and at the other end to define one part of each of the ports 13 and 14. The outlet port 13 can receive a connecting spigot, which forms part of the connection of the valve 10 to a facility such as a water heater.

20 A spigot connection could also be employed for the second inlet port 14.

By the sealed engagement with the piston 17, the liquid flowing through the flow passages 13' and 14' are maintained separate.

As will be appreciated from the foregoing description and the flow arrows shown in Figure 1, liquid flowing through the flow passage 11' can flow past the upper extent of the piston 17, at all times other than when the piston is engaged with the seating surface 17'. Thus, it is normal that water can flow from the flow passage 11', past the piston 17 and from there, into both the mixing chamber and the flow passage 13', for egress through the second outlet port 13. In the arrangement shown, communication between the first inlet port 11 and second outlet port 13, is past the piston 17/element 16 arrangement.

An alternative embodiment of the invention is shown in Figure 2. In that embodiment parts common with the valve of Figure 1 have the same reference numeral, plus 100. Additionally, the function of these common features will not be explained, as they remain the same as that described in relation to Figure 1.

8 In the Figure 2 embodiment, the valve 100 includes a first inlet port 101 and a second inlet port 102. The valve 100 further includes a first outlet port 103 and a second outlet port 104. Each of the inlet and outlet ports is associated with a flow passage, represented by the same reference numeral and prime.

As will be appreciated from an understanding of the description relating to the valve 10 of Figure 1, and by way of the identifying arrows, liquid flowing through the flow passage 101' can flow past the upper extent of the piston 117, apart from when the piston is engaged with the seating surface 117', and into the flow passage 103' for egress through the port 103. Additionally, liquid from the flow passage 101' can also flow through the piston 117 and into the mixing chamber 115 to mix with hot liquid flowing through the flow passage 102', and the mixed liquid flows through the port 104.

The valve 100 has particular application for a hand basin, sink, tub or the like. The construction of the valve 100 permits connection at ports 101 and 102 to supplies of both hot and cold water, such as from mains water and a water heater respectiveiy, with the ports i103 and i04 being connected respectively to cold and hot taps. Thus the valve 100 permits a single connection between the water supplies and the taps, thereby eliminating one of the two connections now °oooo 20 employed and described earlier. Accordingly, the valve 100 advantageously .oeo.i reduce the cost and installation time for a hand basin or the like.

The invention described herein is susceptible to variations, modifications Sand/or additions other than those specifically described and it is to be understood that the invention includes all such variations, modifications and/or additions which fall within the spirit and scope of the above description.

W \SHARON Ald ew\PCTCOMP\93I1395p ct lnSm a o

Claims

1. A valve, including first and second inlet ports and an outlet port, each of which communicates with a mixing chamber, said first and second inlet ports being arranged for connection to liquid or fluid supplies, which in use, enter said mixing chamber for mixing prior to exit through said outlet port, a second outlet port being in communication with said first inlet port for flow of liquid or fluid (hereinafter "liquid") from said first inlet port to said second outlet port for egress therethrough and control means for control of liquid through said valve.

2. A valve according to claim 1, said control means taking the form of regulating means for regulating the ratio of liquid received in said mixing chamber through said first and second inlet ports. S 15

3. A valve according to claim 2, said regulating means including a temperature sensitive element which is disposed at least partly within said mixing chamber, and further including a piston fixed to said element to shift therewith between first and second valve seats as said element reacts to changes in the temperature of liquid within said mixing chamber and expands or OI 20 contracts, said piston being operable in use to alter the volumes of liquid from said first and second inlet ports that enter said mixing chamber, depending on its position relative to said respective valve seats.

4. A valve according to claim 3, said piston being shiftable in use by said element in a first direction toward said first valve seat and away from said second valve seat, and in a second direction opposite to said first direction, movement of said piston in said first direction being operable to reduce the volume of liquid flowing through said first inlet port and increasing the volume of liquid flowing through said second inlet port, and movement of said piston in said second direction increasing the volume of liquid flowing through said first inlet port and decreasing the volume of liquid flowing through said second inlet port.

A valve according to claim 4, wherein shifting of said piston in said first direction decreases the volume of liquid flowing to said second outlet port, and shifting of said piston in said second direction increases the volume of liquid flowing to said second outlet port.

6. A valve according to any one of claims 3 to 5, wherein shifting of said piston to engage said first valve seat terminates flow of liquid through said first inlet port and said second outlet port, and wherein shifting of said piston to engage said second valve seat terminates flow of liquid through said second inlet port.

7. A valve according to claim 1, said control means providing control on the basis of liquid temperature and/or pressure. 15

8. A valve according to any one of claims 1 to 7, including a flow passage extending from said first inlet port to said second outlet port, said flow passage including first and second sections, said first section accommodating flow of liquid between said first inlet port and said second outlet port and between said first inlet port and said mixing chamber.

9. A valve according to claim 8 when dependent on any one of claims 3 to 6, said flow passage extending past or through said piston.

A valve according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein in use said first inlet port is connected to a supply of cold water and said second inlet port is connected to a supply of hot water, so that cold water can flow through said first inlet port to each of said mixing chamber and said second outlet port and wherein hot water which flows through said second inlet port mixes with cold water that flows through said first inlet port into said mixing chamber for egress through said first outlet port.

11. A valve according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein in use said first inlet port is connected to a supply of hot water and said second inlet port is connected to a supply of cold water, so that hot water can flow through said first 11 inlet port to each of said mixing chamber and said second outlet port and wherein cold water which flows through said second inlet port mixes with hot water that flows through said first inlet port into said mixing chamber for egress through said first outlet port.

12. A valve according to any one of claims 1 to 11, said first and second inlet ports being positioned adjacent each other.

13. A valve according to claim 12, said first and second inlet ports being separated by a wall which defines and separates respective first and second flow passages extending from said inlet ports, and said wall extending into sealing engagement with a side wall of said piston.

14. A valve substantially as herein described with reference to any one of the 15 accompanying drawings. DATED: 29 November 2001 PHILLIPS ORMONDE FITZPATRCK Attorneys for: OD4A 4,Xn<4 GSA INDUSTRIES (AUST.) PTY LTD