CA1119075A - Valving apparatus for relative control of two fluids - Google Patents

Abstract

ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE

An apparatus for the relative control of at least two fluids, particularly hot and cold water, has hot and cold water inlets and one outlet. A control element is designed to slide across the hot and cold water inlets in order to block totally or in varying amounts the relative quantities of hot and cold water being fed to the outlet.
A governor unit controlled by temperature sensors controls the control element which need only move very short distances for its control function. The control element may also take the form of a movable wall between a cold water chamber and a hot water chamber, the wall movable from one side to the other of the outlet opening of the chamber. Additional attachments are disclosed for lengthening or shortening the required control stroke and for at least partially overriding the governor unit when desired.

Description

1~9~5 The present invention concerns an apparatus for-the relative control of at least two 1uids, and more particularly to a water mixer comprising two inlet ports, one for hot water and one for cold water, and one common outlet port.
Previously known mixers, for example for central heaters, with linear shunt control suffer from the substantial disadvantage that the controlling, i.e. moving, part has to carry out extensive and power consuming movements to compensate, e.g. in connection with motorshunts, for constant hot water tapping, often within a short period of time. Such mixers are often very expensive and complicated, e.g. with electrical con-nections and so on, which make them expensive also with respect to service. In spite of this, the temperature of the out-flowing water varies 5-15C.
An obj ect of the present invention is to provide an apparatus of the defined art, which operates by means of short and less power consuming control movements, which stays within very limited set margins of temperature, which is simple and inexpensive to produce, which is relatively insensitive to interferences, which has a long lifetime, which requires a minimum of service, and which accomplishes fast, . , . .. .,, . . , .. " , . ..... .

lllsa~7s and effective mixture of different fluids.
These objects are accomplished by means of the apparatus according to the present invention. Such apparatus can be produced at a substantially lower price compared with con-ventional apparatus and requires no electrical connection.
Furthermoreitrequirespractically no service and in practical tests has proved to be completely superior to the often intricate systems which nowadays are offered. In -this connection; a great advantage resides from the feature of inlet openings LO being different in size, and which by means of extremely small control movements, and possibly by means of differently shaped control element parts, can accomplish all desired mixtures and an obedience of the outgoing well-composed stream within 1C, which obedience can be adapted to, e.g. heat requirements according to indoor and outdoor sensors, which can even be interconnected and render an even smaller variation in output and somewhat faster reaction. If sensors are connected to the outlet in close relation to the apparatus according to the invention, then it can keep a very exact temperature, which U is desired, e.g. in connection with thermostat-controlled radiators. Every possible control scheme characteristic can be achieved by varying the shape of the openings.
The control member o~ elements of the present invention can be connected to a clutch switch of a circulation pump i so that, e.g., cold water cannot pass through below a certain temperature.
If whirling is desired and/or prevailing whirling or turbulence is insufficient, the channels can be given such a direction that the desired result is achieved.
! Openings of different size and short control movements ~gQ"~5 render small compact units and make it possible to achieve any desired control scheme in a simple way in spite of a linear or almost linear operation of the control member~ Similar short control mov~ements can, of course, be applied to a cyiindrical unit with torsion movement of the control membex.
Accordingly, the invention as broadly claimed herein is an apparatus for the relative control of at least two Eluids, comprising: a housing having an outlet, a first iniet, for a first fluid, with a corresponding first mouth, and a second inlet, ~or a second fluid, with a corresponding second mouth, fluid communication between said inlets and said outlet occurring through said mouths, said first and second mouths being adjacent one another and separated by a partition means which is relatively thin with respect to the widths of said first and second mouths;
a single control element disposed to be movable with respect to said mouths in such a manner as to be capable of closing either said first mouth, at one extreme position, said second mouth, at a second extreme position, or a portion of each mouth, at positions therebetween; first control means for causing said control eiement to give control characteristics, when moving over at least a substantial portion of the distance between said extreme positions, such that a given amount of motion of said control element will cause a change of relative amounts of fluids at the outiet at a given rate, and second control means for automatically causing said control characteristics to change when predetermined conditions are met.
Further characteristics and advantages of the present invention are revealed by the following embodiments described with reference to the attached drawings, in which:
Fig. i is a schematic representation of a system containing an apparatus according to the present invention;

_ 3 _ B

~ ,g~t'~5 Fig. 2 is a view in longitudin~l section of a first embodiment of an apparatus accordin~g to the present invention.
Fig. 3 is a section alon~ line ~-A of Figure 2 rl _ 4 and 5 5h~ ~iew5 compa~a41e t4 that of - 3a -B

1~190t~S

Figure 3 and revealing modified embodiments of the mouth of inlets and shape of a control member, respectively;
Fig. 6 is a view in longitudinal section of a modified embodiment of an apparatus according to the present invention;
Fig. 7 is a section along line C-C of Figure 6;
Fig. 8 is a section along to line D-D of Figure 6;
Fig. 9 is a view in longitudinal section of a further modified embodiment of an apparatus according to the present invention;
Fig. 10 is a section along line E-E in Figure 9;
Fig. lL is a view comparable to that of Figure 10 and revealing a different control position, and in which various control means are somewhat modified;
Fig. 12 is a view from the right in Figure 9;
Fig. 13 is a view in longitudinal section of a further modified embodiment of an apparatus according to the present nventlon;
Fig. 14 is a section along line G-G of Figure 13;
Fig. 15 is a section along line I-I of Figure 13;
Fig. 16, first sheet of drawings, is a view in longi-tudinal section of another modified embodiment of an apparatus according to the present invention;
Fig. 17, first sheet of drawings, is a section along line J J of Figure 16;
Fig. 18, first sheet of drawings, is a side-view corresponding to the sectional view according to Figure 16;
Fig. 19 is a view in longitudinal section of yet another modified embodiment of an apparatus according to the present invention;
Fig. 20 is a sectional view along line K-K of Figure 19;
Fig. 21 is a sectional view along line L-L of Figure 19;
.: , ~1190~7~

Fig. 22 is a side view of a control member which may be used in the embodiment of Figure 19;
Fig. 23 is a longitudinal section of the control member of Figure 22;
Figure 24 is a side view of a modified control member which may be used in the embodiment of Figure 19;
Fig. 25 is a view in longitudinal section of a portion of yet another modified embodiment of an apparatus according to the present invention;
Fig. 26 is a view in longitudinal section of still another modified embodiment of an apparatus according to the present invention;
Fig. 27 is a sectional view along line M-M of Figure 26;
Fig. 28 is a sectional view along line N-N of Figure 26;
Fig. 29 is a sectional view along line O-O of Figure 26;
Fig. 30 is a view of an expansion of the entire periphery of a controlled element which may be used in the embodiment of Figure 26;
Fig. 31 is a similar view as Figure 30 of a modified control element which may be used in the embodiment of Figure 26;
Fig. 32 is a view in longitudinal section of yet a further modified embodiment of an apparatus according to the present invention;
Fig. 33 is a sectional view along line P-P of Figure 32;
Fig. 34 is a view of a temperature changing adapter which may-be used in the embodiment of Figure 32.
Fig. 35 is a view along line R-P of Figure 32 and Q-Q of Figure 34 showing the temperature changing adapter of Figure 34 in conjunction with the embodiment of Figure 32;
Fig. 36 is a side-view of a modified embodiment of a control member for use with the present invention;

1~190 75 Fig. 37 is a view along line R-R of Figure 36;
Fig. 38 is a view along line S-S of Figure 36;
Fig. 39, third sheet of drawings, is a view in longi-tudinal section of a combination of additional equipment which may be used in accordance with the present invention;
Fig. 40 is a top view along line T-T of Figure 39;
Fig. 41, third sheet of drawings, is a similar view as Figure 39 of a modified embodiment in accordance with the present invention;
Fig. 42 is a view along line U-U of Figure 41;
Fig. 43 is a view in longitudinal section of another modified embodiment of the present invention; and Fig. 44 is a view along line V-V of Fig. 43.
Detailed Description of Preferred ~mbodiments Figure 1 shows a system incorporating any of the apparatus and components A which are described in the remainder of the present specification. A central heater 47 supplies water through a hot water inlet 2 to the apparatus A. Cold or shunt water enters the apparatus A through inlet 5. The apparatus is controlled by a governor unit 19. Outlet line 18 leaves the apparatus A. The governor 19 is connected through capillaries 23 to sensor 44 in the outlet line 18, indoor sensor 43 and outdoor sensor 42. A circulation pump 45 is con-nected to the governor by a contact line or conduit 46 which may cause activation or inactivation of the circulation pump 45, for example when outdoor temperature is 50 high that it would be unnecessary ~ .
.

1~90 ~5 to circulate cold water. Sensor 42 can be located in the air-stream entering the heater location, for example, and can thus sensethe temperature of the outdoor air in a shielded place. All embodiments can be easily equipped with manual control.
In the embodiments of figures 2 and 3, housing 1 has a housing top 14 with a sealing 15 therebetween to maintain a tight fit, hot water enters through inlet 2 and coldwater through inlet 5 by means of, for example, circulation pump 45 which forces the water into the calibrated hot water mouth 4 or cold water mouth 6. Lower surface 10 of control member 9 is forced into sèaling engagement with partition 3 as well as towards control surface 7 by means of a leaf spring 12 which is retained in position by means of retain-ing screw 13. The force of the leak,~spring 12 overcomes the tendency of control member 9 to follow with the liquid stream. A minor part of the leaf spring 12 abuts the upper surface 11 of control member 9. Mouths 4 and 6 are cali-brated and will hereinbelow be referred to as A-mouth and B-mouth respectively. A-mouth 4 is larger than B-mouth 6 in order to permit maximum power consumption if and when so required.
Control member 9 is moved back and forth by means of adjusting bellows 24 within the governor 19, which via capillary 23 connects to for example sensors 42 or 43 or a combination of 42 and 43. Sensor 44 is installed in a suitable place in the supply outlet 18 and is thus governing to achieve a constant temperature, which is suitable, for example for systems with a thermostat--controlled radiators.
Adjusting bellows 24 affects the steering shaft 20 when moving back and forth,which movements are sensed ~ by sensors l~lgO~75 42,43 and 44. Steering shaft 20 is mounted in control member 9 through hole 3~ and retained in position by means of col~rs 2L Control member 9 is guided laterally by means of chamber wall 8. Stops 28 are present within the governor unit 19 for at leastOne end position of the ~teering shaft 20 and may.be necessary for certain embodiments which are not shown here. The wa,ter passing through mouths 4 and 6 enter outlet chamber 16 past the constriction 17 into the outlet line 18~he governor unit 19 is connected to the top of the housing 14~ preferably through a threaded bore 22.
Figure 2 shows the control member 9 in a normal position in which the control member 9 leaves free about equally large mouth parts of mouths 4 and 6. This corres-ponds to a power consumption which is necessary at about 0C outdoor temperature.
It is possible for control member 9 to completely cover A-mouth 4 leaving B-mouth 6 entirely open,This may be required when higher outdoor temperaturè affects the adjusting bellows 24 via sensors 42~43 and capillary 23 so ,.that bellows 24 is extended maximally and only the return water circulates in the system via B-mouth 6. When sens~or 4~ and/or sensor 43 senses a lower air temperature~
'~ the li~uid in bellows 24 is decreased, and control member 9 ~5 is moved towards the ~vernor unit 19 so that water from B~mouth 6 can mix with hot water corresponding to sensed demand. The quantity of hot water increases even beyond the position when B-mouth 6 is already entirely cut off temperature to provide the maximum/which the heater and other control ~ elements are set for.' .

111~0~75 Complete screening of B-mouth 6 and full opening of A^mout,h 4 renders a substantial increase of capacity in view of the larger area of A-mouth 4,which then gives full effect,Thus,in view of this larger area of A-mouth 4,the S temperature can be varied even after B-mouth 6 is completely closed.
For manual operation~adjusting screw 25 is provided in conjunction with the ~overnor unit 19. When adjusting screw 25 is entirely extended, it depresses bellows 24 so L0 that control member 9 may bemoved, for example when operation is commenced in order to increase temperature rapidly or for other reasons requiring a manually operable effect. Locking means 26 enables return to the previously set calibration affecting adjusting bellows 24 via the adjusting pin 27 IS Figure 3 also shows the mouths 4 and 6 and further details. Practical tests of the embodiment shown in this figure show an effect well corresponding to the needs of northern countries with normal temperatures for hot water leaving the heater.
Figure 4 shows the upper side of control surface 7 with control member 9 omitted to give an example of the shape of A~mouth 4 affecting the power tap in the end phase beyond complete screening of B-mouth 6. All other characteristics can be brought about by altering B-mouth 6 ~5 only or both mouths 4 and 6.
Fig. 5 shows a sectional level between that of figures 3 and 4 with lower surface 10 of control member 9 abu-tting the control surface 7. A recess 30 in control member9gives a characteristic which may be desirable. Instead of the ~ characteristic shown in figure 5 the other side of control member 9 which covers A-mouth 4 can be given a shape s,imilar _9_ 1~190 75 to 30 or bo-th sides may be given such a shape. In other words, when control member 9 completely screens out A^mouth 4, the greatest depth of recess 30 is adjacent the edge of 4 30 ~ pa~
along partition 3,~ithin the width of the partition 3,reoess~ et i~, i thereof can be molded in varing size and shape~so that any desired characteristic can be achieved by retarded opening, ie- throttling of hot and cold water streams respectively.
In the closed position of A-mouth 4, certain part of control member 9 overlaps B-mou~6with the thickness of partition 3 towards B~mouth 6. The depth of recess 30 can even be smaller to screen either mouth entirely. Such recesses 30 in control member 9 are simple, easy and inexpensive to manufacture.
Figures6 to 8 show a modified embodiment of the present inventio~ ~ere,a control chamber 32 is divided up by control member 9, which is cylindrical and axially movable by means of the ~overnor unit 19. An advantage of this embodiment is that only very little governing power is required,as control member YQlic~e~
9 is completely ~elo~od due to equal counterpressure in both chamber parts affecting the major surfaces of control member ~0 9. Circumferential lips 31 surround control member 9 and may be made in one piece therewith. Control member 9 is preferably made of plastic material. Lips 31 make the total abutment of control member 9 against housing 1 very small and contribute also to reducing the required governing power. The distance ~5 between lips 31 is always less ~anthe width of partition 3 which prevents all normal leakage. The absence of spring pressure reduces also the required governing power.

1~19~5 This embodiment is very easy to design and produce, is inexpensive and has guaranteed function with only one movable element. It can also be produced as an adaptor with only vital elements precision finished and can be placed in a body of very simple design. Also a square design is possible where control member 9 attains this shape. In this embodiment control and mixing occurs at the outlet of chamber 32. The governor unit 19 passes through a preferably threaded b~e 35 of an end plug 33 which seals the end of control chamber 32 by means of a preferabably threaded bore 34.
Figure 9 shows an embodiment with control member 9 eccen-trically pivoted and swingable across mouths 4 and 6, whereby governing movement is exchanged and a short stroke of govern-ing unit 19 will suffice. The eccentric control member 9 pivots about a turn axle 29 attached to the housing 1. A washer 37 may contain a coil spring contributing to provide adequate pressure between control surface 7 and the lower ~urface 10 of control member 9.Steering shaft 20 ends in an enlarged head 39 which contains a rectangular opening 40 permitting peg 38J
anchored into control member 9 preferabably through a threaded bore 41, to travel with respecttothe swinging motion of control member 9.
Figure 10 shows that in this embodiment mou~ 4 and 6 are designed as suitable curves in connection with the shape of , ,control member 9.
Figure 11 shows a similar embodiment, but with the difference that control member 9 is provided with a calibrated recess 30 for a different suitable "curve". For increasing the desired whirling-fast mixing-, the inlets 2 and 5 may be displaced'lateral'ly ~ in relation to one another and inclined in opposite directions so that mouths 4 and 6 are distorted such that a total twisting lll90t7S

and spiral movement of li~uid streams entering chamber 32 rapidly accomplishes an effective and total mixing. Figure 12 shows the distortion and inclination of inlets 2 and 5 and mouths 4 and 6.
The embodiment of figures 13 _ 15 is a further embodiment according to the present invention, where control member 9 has no ~ealing lips but nevertheless seals satiæfactorily, as there is practically no difference in pressure on both sides of the control member 9 and mixing occurs only after the control chamber 32. Partition 3 and mouths 4 and 6 ha~e,~een æiveD ~ig-zag shaped mutual relation-ship bringing a~oiu~ 0~4~1a~ mixing, and the water streams attain rapidly a homogeneous temperature after joining.
In the embodiment of figures 16 - 18~ manual control may be exerted which can be sufficient for certain requirements.
Control member 9 is pivoted in the center via ~t`eering shaft 20 by means of the link-like end 64 attached to the steering shaft 20 to attain a position such as that shown. A scale 65 may be present to show the relative temperature settings corres-ponding to the given pivoted arrangeme~nt of the control member 9. Chamber 32 has always the same division in volume and therefore pressure from inlets 2 and 5 counterbalance and governing power can bè relatively smal} As mixing is brought about at the top a~ter control, a simple sealing of control membèr 9 will suffice. Control member 9 is preferably of plastic material and provided with lips 31 both t~7ards chamber w~11 8 and surfaces 60 and 61. No substantial leaking can occur.
This embodiment can be made very simply and compactly~It is also suitable for large amounts of water.

- ~ ~

~190 75 Figs. l9 to 23 show an embodiment wherein partition 3 is removed and mouths 4 and 6 are joined to a common control opening 72, and wherein control member 9 has been provided with axial guiding edges 69, which in diameter correspond to chamber 32, and which can slide across control opening 72 and control the relative openings for hot and cold water by means of partition 70, the diameter of which is adapted to that of chamber 32.
Control member 9 shows recesses 68 permitting desired quantities of medium to pass during the entire control movement, which is sensor-~overned as known per se. The circumferential partition 70 in control member 9 is somewhat oblique between adjacent edges 69, thus including pointed angles 71, which efficiently contribute -where so required - to effect opening and closing of hot and cold water slowly. The one and only control opening 72 can in this case be small, as partition 70 occupies very little of the accessible total opening at the same time as a large amount of mixed water leaves through circular channel 66 and outlet 18.
The stroke of bellows 24 can be extremely short, and the widening mouth 67 of control opening 72 makes passage of the mixed media easier.
Fig. 20 shows that the circular channel 66 which almost surrounds control element 9 can be given a large capacity in relation to control opening 72. Fig.2 reveals the position . ~
--~ of control member 9 from a different angle. The structure ~5 of the control element 9 including the shape of peripheral recesses 68 can be seen from Figs. 22 and 23. A modified control member is shown in Fig. 24 with curved and twisted edges 69 bringing about especially an effective torsion of t water streams and faster mixing.

, lil90t~5 :

Fig. 25 shows a further embodiment in which chamber 32 has, on the hot water side, a circular shoulder 73 which is abutted by an enlarged center part of control element 9 with a somewha~ larger diameter 74 than internal diameter of circular shoulder 73, thus constituting an extra sealing, shu~ting off media flow via inlet 2 and chamber 32 to 100% when control element 9 obtains the position as shown. This is valuable when total shut of is desired,and also generally,as it is quite common that known mixers have a leakage of 5 -10%
~ thus causing unnecessary energy losses. Here, partition 70 asymmetrically surrounds control member 9, and on the hot water side, edges 69 can be omitted so that peripheral recess 68 forms an annular cavity. When the end surface ~g of control member 9 leaves circular shoulder 73, the throttling at 73 and 74 effects preshunting and is desirable for certain embodimenta-~o protect bellows 24 from bursting when end surface 74 seals against shoulder 73 and the liquid and the sensor expands further, bellows 24 should have a resilient rest against its stop within the~,~overnor unit 19.
Figs. 26 to 30 show an embodiment wherein circular channel 66 and control opening 72 surround only half the periphery of control chamber 32 tow~ar~s the outlet side. Here, _.~on~rol member 9 obtains a fixed~position in relation to .. .
a turning lever 78, by means of which control member 9 can be turned half a revolution. Partition 70 can be wavelike in circumferential direction, for example, according to Fig. 30, which increases or decreases warm and cold water streams through control opening 72, respective]y, by means oE a simp,le movement of lever 78 and the square hole 79 therein which slides - ~ ~

~1~90~5 on square part 77 of the steering shaft 20 (for nor~al movements of the adjusting bellows) via steering shaft 20 and sensor 75. The lever 78 and square part 77 are disposed within a U-shaped yoke 76 for the ~overnor unit 19 in which are journalled bores 81 for the square part 77.
A spring 80 is disposed between yoke 76 and lever 78.
Hereby, especially for trying conditions, lever 78 can be moved manually and - if so desired - by further control means for rapidly changing the temperature of the outflowing water, for example, after a period of rest.
A sensor 75, with retardation function, located within the ~eturn water flow channel in chamber 32 is designed as known per se, i.e., wax or wax/copper chip core or similar, corresponding to the desired sensitivity, and is rigidly connected to steering.shaft 20. The objective of the sensor 75 is to successively move control member 9, so that the hot water mouth at the control opening 72 decreases if return water via ~-inlet 5 occasionally becomes hotter than, e.g., 40C. Then sensor 75 grows in length and displaces the control, so that the preset temperature can be kept within narrow limits. Minor prolongation of sensor 75 not only throttles hot water flow but increases also the flow of return water.
Retardation sensor 75 renders still another important .~5 advantage when a completely linearly operating control system, for instance, is governed by an indoor thermostat. In that case, it is effectively contributing to equalizing variations in the outgoing temperature by sensing "the room temperature" via return water, which rapidly is adjusted when occasionally becoming too hot.

0~7S

For certain applications, such as retardation as mentioned above, sensor 75 can be replaced by adjusting bellows 24, which in a simple ma~ner can be located in the return water stream and accomplish its movement when the return water gets too hot.
To ensure displacement of components participating in control movements from the rest position, a pressure spring 82 can be inserted between control member 9 and the adjacent surface of chamber 32 o~ the hot water side.
A small shunt 84 is disposed in the housing 1 between L0 the chamber 32 and the outlet chamber 16. The purpose of this small shunt 84 is to always let a small amount of hot water across control member 9 even if the control member 9 obtains the rest position in which the hot water passage is blocked, so that part of the outlet housing 16 is kept warm thus minimizing the risk for control member 9 to get stuck, furthermore reducing the unilateral pressure prevailing on the return water side when control member 9 is in the rest position and to prevent sedimentation of impurities contained in-the water, especially in certain positions of installation.
The medium flow through the shunt 84 is negligible and affects ~he outgoing temperature by no more than 0.1C.
, .
The half moon shape of circular channel 66 within outlet 18 is clearly seen in Fig. 27 The sto~ edge 83 for the lever 78 is clearly shown in Fig. 28 as is scale 65. Fig. 29 ~-5 shows the flow permitted by partition 70 when lever 78 is in the position shown in Fig. 28 and control member 9 is positioned such that portion B, as shown in Fig. 30, is in place.
Fig.30 shows the entire periphery of control element 9 and shows 1~190~,5 how partition 70 can be varied within wide limits. Part A
corresponds to minimum outgoing temperature, B corresponds to medium temperature, and C maximum. Infinitely variable mixing ~herebetween is possible. Fig. 31 is similar to Fig. 30, but with partitlon 70 modified to render a different control scheme.
Fig. 32 shows an embodiment with a circumferential channel 36 permitting several outlets for temperature controlled water and can thus replace distributors for various mains. Another advantage of this embodiment is that each such outlet 18 can be given a different temperature if so desired by simple means~
i.e. design of control member 9 for ins~ance, to serve several different zones with varying heat requirements by one single sensor-governed control movement.
The housing 1 can be produced cheaply of, for example, cast iron and the only part of different material with necessary precision will be the adapter 87. The adapter 87 is disposed within bore 88 in the housing 1 between shoulders 89 thereof.
The steering shaft 20 passes through the end plug 33,through sealings 91 and is connected to the control element 9 by locking screw 86. The housing 1 is provided with an end plug 85 for alternative connection of the 'not water inlet 2.
In the embodiment of fig. 32, control openings 72 are shown t~ be rectangular slots. It should be understood, however, that the shape of these slots can be modified in various ways. FQr example, the various slots can be longitudinally displaced, e.g. overlapping, in relation to one another, ad-jacent every outlet 18 to achieve different outgoing temperatures.

~1~9075 Fig. 33 reveals the simple design for distribution. The housing 1 can also be square or hexagonal to incorporate all ~ the branches.
Fig. 34 shows a temperature changing adapter 92 which is made of relatively soft or resilient material and can be pressed down into outlet 18 against the outer periphery of adapter 87 to be retained in position by the asymmetrical part 96, which is displaced to eliminate cavit~95 atthe same time. An obstructed part 94 towards control opening 72 brings about the desired temperature change. Channels 93, of less area than control opening 72, and particularly partitions 97 correspond to the control opening 72 and the circular sliding surface 90, respectively, as is evident from Fig.35. The temperature changing adapter 92 is reversible at 180C for increased or lS reduced demand of temperature.
For reducing or completely eliminating non-desirable flow between the various outlets 18, circular channel 66 has been omitted in the embodiment of Fig. 35 and angle point 98 abuts control opening 72. If circular channel 66 is retained, then temperature changing adapter 92 can be provided with tongues protruding into the circular channel 66 and partly into control opening 72 thereby rendering the desired shieIding effect.
... .
Fig.36shQ~s a control member 9 seen from the side, wherein partition 70 is very thin and zigzagged around the entire peri-phery. The depth of the pointed corner of angle between the peripheral guiding edge 69 and partition 70 on both sides of partition 70 brings about a desirable intensive overlap mixing ~1~9 Q'~

of water streams. Corner 71 also contributes to successive increase and reduction,respectively, of water streams because of the non-linear effect rendered by this embodiment. The position of recesses 68 and corner 71 on both sides of the control element 9 is revealed in Fig. 38 which indicates the effective overlap mixing.
As to all of the embodiménts according to Figs. 19 to 38, for controlling flow of media, the embodiments can be produced very inexpensively as compact units completely replacing the expensive and often intricate systems which are now offered.
There is an infinite possibility of providing schemes of temperature for the outgoing mixed flow at the same time as there is a possibility to bring unnecessary overtemperatures under control, for example, by a retardation sensor in the return conduit A very valuable possibility resides in taking out several different temperatures of medium by one single control movement simultaneously saving the costs of additional distributors and temperature control means in branches departing therefrom. Counter pressure in the system is always equally large independent of the position of control member 9 in relation to the control opening 72.
That is, the total amount of controlled or mixed water is always the same, so that no disturbances can arise by unbalance in a set heating system.

_.. .

0~5 The embodi.ments of figures 39-44 relate to a combination of additional equipment enabling the use of bellows 24 and a standard length of steering pin 105. In the embodiment shown in figures39 and 40 the length of.the control stroke of stee~ng shaft 20 and control element 9 may be reduced from, for example,4 mm as shown in position "b" of ste3ring pin 105, 113 to about 2 mm according to position "c" or even to a doubling of the length to about 8mm according to position "a". Furthermore~the reduction of temperature during the night can be achieved by means of heating cQil 110 for example by governing by means of a timer rendering adequate night temperatures and substantial savings and energy cost.
Here, base 102 is retained in position by means of L5 anchoring screw 101, which is inserted into threaded bore 100 in housing 1 which is shown as a square block. A r~eed 104 is pivoted at 103 and is wide and long enough to cover a circular arc 109 (see fig.40) described by the rotation of s~ing pin 105 around locking screw 107 be-tween stops 108. Screw 107 as pivot center can arrest the base of the Z-shaped turnable stop 106 in relation to housing 1 at any desired position between stops 108. This renders ~ almost infinite possibilities of control element 9, which previously has been a great problem. For even closer tolerance ~5 in connection with the setting, governor 19 may be provided with a friction thread at threaded bore: 22. By manually pushing down reed 104, which is shown in figure 39 in minimum and maximum position, the mechanical pressure on adjusting bellows 24 is releived during the setting of~
~0 the turnable stop 106. Various lengths of stroke of s~èring shaft 20 and control -member 9 ~ia s~e~ing pin 105 are illustrated by distances "a", "b", "c~ at the free end of reed 104 Corresponding to positions "a", "b" and "c" of s~ing pin 105 against reed 104.
For reduction of temperature via heating coil 110, the windings 11 are activated via,for example, a timer through connection wires 115, which is calibrated to render e.g. 60C. This heat expands sensor 112 a certain cali~rated length, and as ste~ing pin 113 abuts reed 104 which in its turn is kept in position by bellows 24 via s~e~ng pin 105, a displacement takes place via stop 114 and steeringshaft 20a, which latter is kept in abutment by means of a spring 24a located in bore 99 of the end plug 33, to affect control member 9 via steering shaft 20, e.g. to cut off water supply from inlet 2. In this case return spring 32 can be omitted. A reduction in temperature of about 20 of the outgoing water through outlet 18 is adequate at an outdoor temperature of approximately OOC to achieve reduction of room temperature by approximately 2C at night;. At a suitable time in the morning, the current to heating coil 110 is interrupted, and in the course of cooling of sensor 112, the system adapts slowly to day function without any further - engagements in piping and other parts of the system such as is usual in conventional systems.
Another alternative for the reduction of night temperaturesisl provide the indoor sensor 43 (fig.l) with an adequate cali-brated heating coil to directly affect bellows 24 via capillary 23. The heating coil 110 and sensor 112 for night reduction can also be located in the governor unit 19 between ~ 190t75 adjusting pin 27 and the bellows 24. Bellows 24 can,of course, be calibrated for and surrounded by heating coil 110 for the same purpose. The eEfect to heating coil 110 and sensor 112 can also be varied by potentiometers within e.g. 0 to 30C according to scale.
Figures 41 and 42 relate to an alternate embodiment of this additional equipment. In this .embodiment the length of control stroke of ¢eering shaft 20 and control member 9 is affected by the position of governor unit 19, which can be displaced back and forth along an elongate slot 119 contained in the top of housing 118 which is secured to housinq 1 by means of anchoring screw 101.
Reed 104 is mounted on a peg 129, which is ins~rted into holes 128 in housing 118 and is guided laterally by tubular spacers 121 . These components constitute a kind of hinge 103.
- Slot 119 is confined by end stops 108. For displacing governor unit 119 from one position to another friction ring 116 is released. Friction ring 116 has a thread.corresponding to that of threaded.bore 22 as has the rectangular washer 117 and both slide readily along the walls of housing 118.
At a desired position in slot 119 and at a desired level of steering pin 105, friction ring 116 is tightened along with - ~ rectangular washer 117 in.housing 118. A hole 120 for steering shaft 20 guarantees return movement by means of return spring 82 not shown.
In Onewall of housing 118~an end position slot126 is contained with t~p ends 127. In this slot is retained a travel bolt 122 with a head larger than the width of the slot 126 and overlapping reed 104.

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11190~5 The outer part of bolt 122 is threaded at 123 to receive washer 124 and a locking nut 125 As by means of bolt 122 m~Lm temperature can be affected in any position of the governing unit 19, the return movement of ~eed 104 can be obstructed at an adequate level of the outgoing temperature and~
accordingly, overtemperatures are effectively prevented.
Bolt 122 can also be used to obstruct hot water flow entirely.
Also, a completely manual setting is possible, e.g. in case of breakd~wn of ~ellows 24, capillary 23, and sensors 42 and 43, until the fault is removed.
In the modified embodiment of figures 43 and 44, control or pre-setting can be achieved e.g. in a negative way, i.e.
reduction from say 4 to 2 mm. The housing 118 may be com-pletely square and have an ear 130 through which the housing 118 may be secured to housing 1 by means of anchoring screw 101. The square housing contains all the elements for setting in one direction, here in a negative direction as shown in the drawings. A movable tongue 133 with tip 134 can be placed under 104. This is achieved by lever 131, which o is pivoted in the wall of housing 118 at 135 and pivotally linked to tongue 133 at 132. Lever 131 can be moved along slot 119 between stops 108. The full lin~ show the maximum control length and interrupted lines 136 show the minimum.
The one-direction-control can be reversed by exchanging governor 19 and steering shaft 20, or by turning housing 118 by 180.
Figures 39 to 4~ show that it is possible in connection with relatively simple control systems, by governing by means of only linearly working sensors, to add control combina-tions for lowering of night temperature, which can be compared with and can replace all sophisticated systems with similar , .... . . ~

11190~7S

possibilities which are nowadays offered. Internal tes~ of several years o;f ! embodiments according to the present in-vention ~ have proved that all functions are highly re-liable and very high requirements for safety, flexibility and compact design can be f~lfilled.
The embodiments described above and shown in the drawings are to be regarded as non-limiting examples only, which can be modified and completed in any manner within the scope of the invention. Accordingly, mouths 4 and 6 can entirely or partly become parts within the control member itself, which in this case by cooperation with the next wall parts of the housing achieves the desired control. Especially when the control members are made of plastic material, such a design is possible at no substantial extra cost. Furthermore, although the embodiments shown and described are particularly suitable for application as parts in a hot-water system,this must not be interpreted in such a way that the invention is limited to this field.
The invention is applicable to all kinds of liquids and gaseous media.
- ~ ,

Claims (38)

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows:

1. An apparatus for the relative control of at least two fluids, comprising:
a housing having an outlet, a first inlet, for a first fluid, with a corresponding first mouth, and a second inlet, for a second fluid, with a corresponding second mouth, fluid com-munication between said inlets and said outlet occurring through said mouths, said first and second mouths being adjacent one another and separated by a partition means which is relatively thin with respect to the widths of said first and second mouths;
a single control element disposed to be movable with respect to said mouths in such a manner as to be capable of clo-sing either said first mouth, at one extreme position, said second mouth, at a second extreme position, or a portion of each mouth, at positions therebetween:
first control means for causing said control element to give control characteristics, when moving over at least a substantial portion of the distance between said extreme posi-tions, such that a given amount of motion of said control element will cause a change of relative amounts of fluids at the outlet at a given rate, and second control means for automatically causing said control characteristics to change when predetermined conditions are met.

2. Apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein said second control means comprises mouths which are so respectively shaped and disposed that one of said mouths can continue to be opened further even after the other of said mouths has been completely closed.

3. An apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein said housing includes a control surface in which said mouths are located, and wherein said partition means comprises a partition wall, and wherein said control element has a surface sealingly slidable on said control surface to throttle or close the mouths thereon, and wherein, as part of said second control means, at least one of said partition wall, said mouths and said control element exhibits recesses or curves for obtaining the desired control characteristics as said control element slides on said control surface.

4. Apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein said inlets are displaced laterally with respect to one another or are inclined in different directions for introducing the fluid streams in rotating or spiral motion.

5. Apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein said housing has a substantially cylindrical control chamber therein and wherein said control element is a body the periphery of which is shaped correspondingly to said substantially cylindrical control chamber and axially and sealingly displaceable within said chamber, said first and second inlets opening into opposite sides of said control element, and wherein said control chamber communicates with said outlet via at least one opening in the region along which said control element is slidable.

6. An apparatus in accordance with claim 5 wherein said opening of said control chamber or an optional partition therein or said control element are specially formed to achieve an intensive intermixing.

7. An apparatus in accordance with claim 6, wherein said partition means comprises a partition in the opening of said control chamber communicating with said outlet and wherein said opening and said partition are shaped in zig-zag fashion to achieve intensive intermixing of the streams entering said outlet.

8. An apparatus in accordance with claim 1, wherein said housing has a cylindrical control chamber therein; wherein said control element is disposed sealingly in said control chamber, said control element having planar sides parallel to the axis of said control chamber: wherein said first control means includes a control shaft, rotatably anchored in said housing, extending through the center of said control element and extending through one end of said control chamber and ending in a manually operable steering crane on the outside of said housing; and wherein the sides of said control element in sliding contact with the curved wall of said control chamber have lips thereon to assure sealing contact.

9. An apparatus in accordance with claim 5, wherein said control element is axially or rotatably displaceable and is provided with axial guiding edges and a peripheral partition on the cylindrical surface thereof,said edges and partition defining recesses therebetween and with the control element body, and wherein said partition is obliquely disposed with respect to the neighboring ones of said edges or is stepped with respect to portions of said partition on opposite sides of each of said edges or said edges are disposed in a twisted form about the periphery or said partition extends wavelike about the entire periphery, and wherein said partition of said control element serves as said partition means.

10. An apparatus in accordance with claim 9, wherein said control chamber has a circular shoulder on one axial inlet side of said control element, wherein said control element has a surface of a diameter greater than that of said shoulder for abutting against said shoulder, whereby when said surface abuts said shoulder, flow from the inlet opening on the shoulder-side of said control element is totally sealed off, and wherein said partition is disposed asymmetrically toward the shoulder-side of said control element and no guide edges are disposed on the shoulder side of said partition, thereby leaving a single annular cavity on the shoulder side of said partition.

11. An, apparatus in accordance with claim 9, wherein said housing further includes an at least partially circular channel in said control element at least partially surrounding said control member which channel includes said opening com-municating with said outlet.

12. An apparatus in accordance with claim 10 wherein said channel has a mouth which widens toward said outlet.

13. An apparatus in accordance with claim 1, wherein said first control means includes a steering shaft connected to said control element and displacement means for axially dis-placing or rotating said steering shaft.

14. An apparatus in accordance with claim 13, wherein said displacement means include adjusting bellows and a temperature responsive control means for controlling said adjusting bellows, said control means including a temperature responsive sensor, the degree of expansion of said adjusting bellows, and thus the position of said steering shaft, being dependent on the temperature sensed by said sensor.

15. An apparatus in accordance with claim 13, wherein said displacement means include a manual turning lever non-rotatably but axially slidably disposed on, said steering shaft.

16. An apparatus in accordance with claim 14, wherein said displacement means further includes sensor means with a delaying function, connected to said steering shaft, in at least one of the fluid paths, for further controlling the position of said steering shaft as a function of temperature in said at least one fluid path.

17. An apparatus in accordance with claim 16, wherein said sensor means is interposed as an intermediate part of said steering shaft.

18. An apparatus in accordance with claim 1, further including a substantially tubular adapter having openings therein, wherein said housing has a plurality of outlets and a control chamber therein said adapter being disposed in an intermediate portion of said control chamber, said first and second inlets opening into said control chamber on opposite sides of said adapter, and said outlets each communicating with said control chamber via the openings of said adapter, and wherein said control element is a body the periphery of which is shaped correspondingly to the internal surface of said substantially tubular adapter, and axially and sealingly displaceably disposed within said adapter.

19. An apparatus in accordance with claim 18, wherein the openings of said adapter are variously formed and/or disposed opposite each of said outlets such as to provide varying outlet temperatures to the various outlets.

20. An apparatus in accordance with claim 18, further including a temperature-varying outlet adapter means, mounted in at least one of said outlets in abutment with said substantially tubular adapter, for further changing the size of the openings of said tubular adapter with which it comes into contact, as a function of the position of said adapter means relative to said adapter.

21. An apparatus in accordance with claim 20, wherein said adapter means comprises an element manufactured of a relatively soft material having a cavity on the inside thereof and an asymmetrical part on the periphery thereof which may be pressed in to fill said cavity when being forced into one of said outlets.

22. An apparatus in accordance with claim 13, wherein said displacement means comprises an automatically con-trolled governor means for causing the end of said steering shaft opposite that end connected to said control element to be longitudinally disposed between two predetermined limits and stroke control means for permitting the length and limits of the longitudinal displacement of said control element to be varied.

23. An apparatus in accordance with claim 22, wherein said steering shaft is divided into two parts and wherein said stroke control means comprises a tongue disposed between the two parts of said steering shaft, one end of said tongue being pivotably connected to said housing, and governor displacement means for permitting displacement of said governor means longitudinally along said tongue whereby, when said governor means is displaced to one longitudinal end of said tongue, a given displacement of said steering shaft in the longitudinal direction of said shaft, by said governor means, causes a relatively small displacement of said control element and, when said governor means is displaced to the other end of said tongue, the same given displacement of said steering shaft by said governor means causes a relatively large displacement of said control element.

24. An apparatus in accordance with claim 23, wherein said stroke control means further includes limiting means con-nected to said housing for delimiting a predetermined maximal and/or minimal position of staid tongue.

25. An, apparatus in accordance with claim 23, wherein said governor displacement means comprises a bracket carrying said governor means, said bracket being connected to said housing so as to be swingable in a plane parallel to that of said tongue and wherein said tongue is wide enough and long enough to cover a circular arc described by the swing of said governor means on said swingable bracket.

26. An apparatus in accordance with claim 23, wherein said governor displacement means comprises a holder connected to said housing, said holder having a slot therein parallel to the longitudinal axis of said tongue and a carrier element carrying said governor means, said carrier element being con-nected to said holder so as to be displaceable along said slot.

27. An apparatus in accordance with claim 23, wherein said stroke control means further comprises a wall, connected to said housing, having a slot therein with a longitudinal direction parallel to the longitudinal direction of said steering shaft, and a bolt displaceably and lockable disposed in said slot and extending into the path of travel of said tongue to thereby limit the maximum and/or the minimum position thereof.

28. An apparatus in accordance with claim 23, wherein said stroke control means further includes adjustment means for permitting adjustment of said governor means towards and away from said tongue.

29. An apparatus in accordance with claim 14, wherein said first control means further includes temperature cor-rection means fox influencing the degree of displacement of said control element caused by said displacement means,

30. An apparatus in accordance with claim 29, wherein said temperature correction means comprises a calibrated heating coil disposed adjacent said external or internal sensor.

31. An apparatus in accordance with claim 29, wherein said temperature correction means comprises a sensor means, con-nected to said steering shaft or to said displacement means, for increasing-and decreasing the axial position of said control element as a function of temperature, and a calibrated heating coil disposed adjacent said sensor means.

32. An apparatus in accordance with claims 30 or 31, wherein a potentiometer is connected to said heating coil.

33. An apparatus in accordance with claim 23, further including a movable tongue, one end of which is disposed below the free end of said tongue and the other end of which is movable so as to cause the opposite end to pivot about one end of said steering shaft as a fulcrum, whereby movement of the movable end of said movable tongue causes said tongue and said movable tongue to either lie flat or at an angle to one another to provide a variable distance between the two divided parts of said steering shaft.

34. An apparatus in accordance with claim 33, further including a lever arm pivotably connected at one end to the housing and connected in the middle to the movable end of said movable tongue.

35. An apparatus in accordance with claim 14, wherein said temperature responsive sensor is an external sensor.

36. An apparatus in accordance with claim 14, wherein said temperature responsive sensor is an internal sensor.

37. An apparatus in accordance with claim 14, wherein said adjusting bellows are outside of the fluid stream.

38. An apparatus in accordance with claim 14, wherein said adjusting bellows are within the fluid stream.