US2898045A

US2898045A - Thermostatically responsive mixing valves

Info

Publication number: US2898045A
Authority: US
Inventors: Wilbert E Beller
Original assignee: Controls Company of America
Current assignee: Controls Company of America
Priority date: 1955-12-14
Filing date: 1955-12-14
Publication date: 1959-08-04
Anticipated expiration: 1976-08-04

Description

w. E. BELLER 2,898,045

THERMOSTATICALLY RESPONSIVE MIXING VALVES 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Aug. 4, 1959 Filed D60. 14, 1955 w. E. BEL- LER 2,898,045 THEIRMOSTATICALLY RESPONSIVE MIXING VALVES Filed Dec. 14, 1955 Aug. 4, 1959 I 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 j/ZMQWE g- 4, 195-9 w. E. BELLER 2,898,045

THERMOSTATICALLY RESPONSIVE MIXING VALVES Filed Dec. 14, 1955 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 WW 2 M aw? 7 5 I P 5 [Z Aug. 4, 1959 w. E. BELLER 2,393,045

THEIRMOSTATICALLY RESPONSIVE' MIXING VALVES Filed Dec. 14, 1955 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 I Z7 6 10 {9' J12 114 atent Ofiice 2,898,045 Patented Aug. 4, 1959 THERMOSTATICALLY RESPONSIVE MIXING VALVES Wilbert E. Beller, Park Ridge, 11]., assig'nor, by mesne assignments, to Controls Company of America, Schiller Park, Ill., a corporation of Delaware Application December 14, 1955, Serial No. 553,062

3 Claims. (Cl. 236-12) This invention relates in general to valves and more particularly to thermostatically responsive mixing valves for use in automatic devices wherein liquids of various preselected temperatures are required for the successful operation of such devices.

Briefly, my present invention is directed to improvements in thermostatic mixing valve means embodying remotely operated pilot control valve means and a thermostatically responsive mixing assembly. The valve is normally supplied with two liquids of distinct and dissimilar temperature, the discharge of said supply liquids through the valve being controlled by individual pilot control valve means. In addition, a third pilot control valve means is provided for selectively controlling the discharge of thermostatically controlled intermixtures of said supply liquids. The total assembly is so arranged that each of the pilot control valve means may be operated independently or simultaneously with one or both of the other pilot control valve means. The thermostatically operated mixing assembly is arranged to proportion the amounts of supply fluids introduced into a central mixing chamber to achieve thereby an intermixed product of preselected temperature. Means are embodied in the valve assembly whereby both of the supply fluids may individually bypass the mixing assembly so that such fluids can pass directly through the valve to a point of utility at substantially unaltered temperature. By selectively operating the three pilot control valve means embodied in the device, discharge liquids or fluids of any one of seven preselected temperature ranges may be achieved.

The improved valve of this invention finds general utility in such devices as automatic washing machines, dish-washers, or devices of a like character requiring different temperatured liquids for their successful operation. My present valve parallels, but constitutes an improvement and advancement over the valve disclosed in my copending application Serial No. 547,110, filed November 16, 1955, now Patent No. 2,830,765, dated April 15, 1958, and entitled Mixing Valve.

One of the principal disadvantages of known mixing valves of the general class to which the present invention pertains, resides in their inability to provide discharge fluids having a wide range of preselected temperatures.

Normally, a valve of this general class will discharge liquids at temperatures substantially equivalent to the temperatures of the two supply liquids or a single preselected intermixture of such supply liquids. Thus the usual valve of this class produces or discharges fluids of three preselected temperatures. My present valve is designed and intended to produce and discharge liquids of seven distinct preselected temperatures.

The valve of this invention, like the valve of my above referred to copending application, presents a unique and concentric internal labyrinth or chamber system in which fluids under pressure are introduced, the arrangement being such that the fluid of highest pressure is contained or carried in the innermost chamber of the labyrinth to diminish inherent danger of bursting the valve body by lessening the differential of pressures on opposite sides of the chamber Wall. This construction also permits a reduction in wall thickness between the several chambers of the labyrinth thereby reducing overall weight, cost and size for a valve body of given cubic displacement. This construction further provides a definite improved safety factor in the event of high pressure rupture since the outer concentric chamber acts as safety barrier against the high pressure fluids carried in the internal or innermost chamber. Other features of my device are directed to improved means for sensing the mixed water temperatures at locations relatively close to the chamber in which such liquids are mixed and prior to the discharge of such mixed liquids from the mixing chamber, to the end that the temperature sensed may be asserted on the temperature responsive device preliminary to the discharge of the mixed liquid, thus to provide improved control of the discharge product. Additional features of my invention are directed to the definition of a mixing chamber means which is completely independent of the main housing of the valve, thereby facilitating easier assembly, manufacture and a generally more eflicient device capable of diversification as well as improved flow and direction control, as will appear presently hereinafter.

Among the objects of my invention is the provision of a new and improved thermostatically operated mixing valve of a simple, more economical construction and assembly and providing a diversified range of temperature control.

Another object of this invention is to provide a mixing valve of the character aforesaid having a one-piece valve body construction provided with at least two fluid inlet passages for introduction of dissimilar temperature supply fluids; partial intake control of such fluids being through improved pilot valve mechanisms and the further control of at least a portion of such intake or supply fluids being accomplished by an internally disposed mixing assembly.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved mixing valve having a concentric chamber system whereby the flow chambers are located one within the other, thereby offering simple molding or machining for facilitating manufacture of the valve body, and in addition, permitting increasd flow rate for given cubic displacement of the valve body.

A still additional object of this invention is to provide a new and improved mixing valve having a unitary valve housing embodying three main valve mechanisms, each capable of discharging into a common outlet.

vide a mixing valve of the character set forth in the object immediately hereinabove, whereby energizing the three main pilot control valve mechanisms as selected, permits a common discharge outlet to deliver either one of two supply liquids at substantially unaltered temperature, a thermostatically controlled mixture of such two supply liquids, or a further mixture of said thermostatic mixture and either or both of the supply liquids .as selected.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a new and improved mixing valve of the character aforesaid in which two supply liquids of dissimilar temperature are admitted to the valve body and through the selective operation of one or a combination of two or more pilot control valve mechanisms, a discharge of either of said supply liquids substantially and at unaltered temperatures or a thermostatically controlled intermixture of said supply liquids or in addition, any combination of such supply liquids and said intermixture may take place, totalling seven possible straight or intermixed liquids having temperatures ranging from unaltered first supply liquid temperature to the second supply liquid temperature.

The above and further objects, features and advantages of this invention will become apparent to those familiar with the art from the following description of its features and elements, and will be readily more understandable with reference from time to time to a preferred embodiment of its concepts as found in the accompanying drawings.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a top plan view of the valve of this invention with parts broken away to show the internal arrangement employed;

Figure 2 is a side elevational view with parts shown in cross-section taken substantially from vantage line 22 of Figure 1, and looking in the direction of the arrows thereon; I

Figure 3 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view taken substantially along line 33 of Figure 1, and looking in the direction of the arrows thereon;

Figure 4 is an enlarged partial top plan view, similar to Figure 1, with parts removed to show details of the interior chamber arrangement employed in the valve of this invention.

Figure 5 is a transverse cross-sectional view taken substantially along vantage line 5-5 of Figure 3, and looking in the direction of the arrows thereon;

Figure 6 is a partial cross-sectional view taken along line 66 of Figure 1; and

Figure 7 is a partial bottom plan view taken substantially from vantage line 77 of Figure 3.

While the drawings illustrate an improved device embodying my invention and demonstrate its general broad features of construction, such has not been shown in relation to any particular apparatus, electrical source or liquid sources, since such items do not constitute portions of my present invention other than as means requisite for its successful operation, as will be readily understood by those familiar with the art.

The mixing valve of this invention, indicated generally at 10 in Figure 1, is intended to admix hot and cold water in preselected proportions to gain a mixed discharge product of preselected intermediate temperatures and likewise such valve is capable of discharging hot or cold water directly without admixture. The valve, as mentioned, has particular utility in automatic washing machines in which the washing and rinsing cycles require water of several preselected temperatures.

In the particular construction and embodiment of my invention shown in the drawings, I provide a main valve body 11 housing three shut off or pilot control valve mechanisms, namely, a hot water control valve mechanism 12, a cold water control valve mechanism 13 and a mixed water control valve mechanism 14. A mixing assembly, indicated generally at 15, is disposed substantially centrally of housing 11, and such is thermostatically controlled in response to temperatures of the hot and cold supply liquids according to preselected ambients.

The main valve body 11 is preferably constructed by molding a plastic material, such as nylon or the like, or in some instances it may be preferable to employ cast brass, bronze, or similar materials. In any event, the main body 11 includes a hot water inlet 16 (see Figures 2 and 3) formed by a boss projection 17 threaded for connection with a hose or pipe coupling, such boss 17 projecting outwardly of lower wall 18 of the main valve body 11. A similar externally threaded boss 19 defines a cold water inlet 20, with the two inlet means being disposed in side by side projecting relationship at the bottom side of the valve body. The valve body 11 is defined generally by a substantially cylindrical exterior wall 21 having four lateral projecting portions or

bosses

22, 23, 24 and 25 (see Figures 1 and 5).

Boss 22 is formed as a hollowed out cylinder for receiving the hot water control valve mechanism 12. Boss 23 is likewise formed for receiving the cold water control valve mechanism 13 and boss 24 is constituted for receiving the mixed water control valve mechanism 14. The boss 25 is suitably threaded on its exterior as at 26,.

and such defines a discharge outlet 27 leading from theinterior of the valve body 11. Formed interiorly of the: main body 11 is a substantially annular discharge cham-- ber 28, best shown in Figures 4 and 5, and a cylindrical central mixing chamber 29 located slightly to one side of' the central vertical axis of the main valve body. Such chamber 29 is arranged to receive and house the mixing;

mechanism 15.

The upper end of the valve body is suitably fianged' outwardly to define a substantially oval-shaped platform portion 30, as best shown in Figures 4 and 7 of the drawings, which is characterized by a plurality of ear projections 31 at its periphery receptive of bolts 32 which serve to fasten down a cover plate 33.

The flange or platform portion 30 is invaded from its upper end by a substantially oval-shaped recess or chamber 34 which is enclosed by mounting the cover plate 33 in position over a suitable gasket member 35 held in a slot or depression 36 formed inwardly of the upper face of the platform portion.

From the foregoing, it will be appreciated that the construction of the main body member 11 is suitable to molding or casting operations and includes the internal chambering specified plus suitable passageway means for interconnecting the internal chambers and associated valve operating mechanisms as will now be described.

With reference to Figure 2, 3 and 7 of the drawings, the boss portion 17 defines an internal inlet chamber 40 for the intake of a first fluid, in this particular instance hot water. Chamber 40 is divided by an internal Web 'wall 41 into two

chamber passageway portions

42 and 43. Chamber portion 43 communicates laterally with the lower end of the central chamber 29 via outlet opening or passageway means 44. Chamber portion 42 leads directly to the hollow interior of boss projection 22, and particularly to an annular seat 45 at one end of a cylindrical pilot metering chamber 46 defined by the interior of boss projection 22.

A passageway means 47 is formed between the inner end of chamber 46 and the substantially annular discharge chamber 28; such passageway 47 being defined at one end by the annular seat 45. It will thus be recognized that hot water entering chamber portion 42 may flow directly past seat 45, and via passageway 47 into the discharge chamber 28; the control of such flow being efiected by the operation of the first solenoid operated control valve assembly 12 which is mounted coaxially of the projecting boss portion 22 and constructed substantially in accordance with the disclosure found in my copending application, Serial No. 469,207, filed November 6, 1954, for Valve Device.

While the disclosure herein shows an electrical solenoid means 48 for operating the pilot valve assembly 12, and while this is a preferred mode of controlling the flow of hot water through chamber 47, it is also permissible and contemplated within thescope of this invention that such pilot control valve means may be either mechanically or manually operated according to known principles.

Hot water present in the discharge chamber 28 follows the substantially annular course thereof to an outlet chamber 49 formed within the hollow interior of the discharge projection 25 according to the selective operation of the solenoid means 48.

In general, operation of the solenoid means 48 serves to control opening and closing of the valve mechanism 12.

The solenoid means 48 includes a coil SIT-mounted concentrically about a tubularhousing 51 having aclosure portion 52 at its one end for sealing-over the open end of the boss portion 22. The housing 51 is bolted to the open end of boss'22 over a gasket means 51a and in addition to supporting the coilcontains a compression spring 53 at its closed outer-end for 'biasing a core member 54 bearing a needle valve portion 55, toward a resilient gasket 56 of the pilot control valve. Gasket 56 is held by a metal cage means 57 provided with the usual bleed opening 58 necessary for the successful operation of this class of valve.- An annular strainer 59 is also held by the cage 57 concentrically about the gasket 56in the pilot valve assembly.

The operation of a pilot valve 'means, such as the assembly 12, commences with the passage of the water through the strainer means 59 and bleed port 58 to the outer or solenoid side of the gasket means 56. When the solenoid coil 50 is de-energized, as illustrated particularly in Figures 3 or 5, the needle valve portion of the core member 54 serves to close over a central opening 60 formed through the gasket member. Thus the pressure on the solenoid side of the gasket member 56 is built up and serves to seat the same tightly against the annular seat 45. When solenoid coil 50 is energized, however, the core member 54 is responsively drawn away from the gasket member 56 to compress spring 53 and open the central passageway 60 of such gasket member. The passageway 60 is of larger diameter than the bleed port 58 and thereby an unbalance of pressure occurs on the gasket member serving to lift the same off of the seat 45 and permit the passage of water directly into chamber 47 and the substantially annular discharge chamber means 28.

A full and more complete description of the features 1 and operation of this type of pilot control valve assembly may be found in my above referred to copending application Serial No. 469,207. It should be recognized that while the pilot control valve means 12 is termed herein a hot water control valve assembly, such serves to control only part of the hot water entering inlet means 16, since the internal web wall 41 splits the stream of such hot water into two portions, one of which streams or portions advances to the control of the pilot valve assembly 12, and the other which passes into the lower end of central mixing chamber 29 via passageway means: 44 for purposes to be amplified hereinafter.

Cold water entering inlet means 20 at the threaded. boss member 19 which defines a hollow inlet chamber 65,. is diverted into two streams by a web wall 66, similar to web wall 41 0f the hot water inlet, but related sub stantially transversely with respect to the plane of the latter. Part of the incoming cold water is separated to one side of wall 66 and passes upwardly via passage-- way means 67, to the upper end of the central cylindricah chamber 29 of the valve body which is defined by a. substantially cylindrical wall 68, seen best in Figures 3 and 5 of the drawings. In this regard, note that passage-- way 67 is formed within wall 68 at an enlarged or thick-- ened section 69 thereof.

Leading from chamber within the inlet boss por=- tion 19 and on the opposite side of wall 66 from. the passageway means 67 is a second passageway means 70'- -(see Figures 4 and 5) which is intersected adjacent its. upper end by a transversely related passageway means: 71 leading to the cold water pilot control valve means: or assembly 13. Relationship of passageways 70 and. 71 may best be understood by observing Figure 5 of the: drawings.

It will be recalled that the cold water pilot control valve mechanism 13 is housed within the hollow interior." of the projecting boss portion 23 which is related sub-- stantially at right angles to the boss 22 housing the hot. water pilot control valve mechanism 12. The pilot control valve mechanism 13 is similar in all respects to pilot 1 6 control valve mechanism 12 and includesa resilient gasket means74 having a central orifice 75 supported by cage means 76 having a bleed port 77 and including a strainer screen 78. The pilot valve gasket 74 and its related or associated parts are housed in a substantially cylindrical chamber 79 formed by the hollowed out interior of the boss portion 23. The gasket 74 is arranged to seaton a substantially annular valve seat portion 80 leading to a discharge passageway portion 81 which communicates with the substantially annular discharge chamber 28. Opening and closing of the central aperture 75 of the gasket member is effected by the movement of solenoid core member 82 having a needle valve portion 83 at one end which contacts the gasket member; such core memher being housed in a tubular housing 84 having a closure portion 85 which with gasket 85:: seals off the open end of the boss portion 23, such being held in position by bolt means 86 (see Figure 5). An electrical solenoid coil 87 is mounted about the housing 84- all in :a manner similar to the solenoid assembly 48 theretofore described in association with the pilot valve mechanism 12.

It will be understood that the portion of the cold water which passes through passageway means 70 and 71 to the pilot control valve mechanism 14 is selectively permitted to flow directly into the discharge chamber 28 by the selective operation of the solenoid coil 87 which serves to lift the needle valve 83 from the gasket member 74 :thereby permitting the latter to lift from seat 80 similar to the operation for the pilot valve assembly 12 as set forth hereinabove.

As stated, part of the hot water entering chamber 40 is diverted into the secondary chamber 43 for passage into the central mixing chamber 29 via the passageway or port 44. The entry of hot water into the mixing chamber 29 is controlled by the mixing assembly 15 comprising a piston valve 90 slidingly mounted in the chamber 29 as defined by the internal wall 68 of the housing. Piston 90 is formed substantially as acylindrical member with a radially inward extending skirt portion 91 near itslower end which provides an internal platform support for the lower end of an override spring member 92. The upper end of spring 92 is engaged by .and held beneath radially extending mounting arms 93 of a saddle member 94 having a substantially U-shaped cross-section, as shown clearly in Figure 3 of the drawings. This saddle member 94 and the spring 92 are held in assembled concentricity by'means of a snap ring 95 engaged in an annular groove formed inwardly of the internal side walls of the mixing piston'member 90. Surrounding the saddle member 94 in a concentric manner and located radially inward of spring 92 is a second spring 96, the upper end of which spring en- ;gages the underside of the arm portions 93'of the saddle member and the lower end of which engages the inside face of bottom wall 18 and the valve body 11. Spring '96 opposes initial or normal downward movement of the mixing piston 90 as imposed by the activity of a power element type of thermostatic unit 98, known in the art. 'Both

spring

92 and 96 are preloaded or prestressed in their assembly in the mixing chamber 29.

The thermostatic unit 98 has an elongated'neck' portion 99 and an enlarged body portion 100 defined and characterized particularly by an enlarged flange section 101. The thermostatic element is responsive to sur rounding temperature and activates by elongating a movable element 102 projecting axially outward at the lower end of neck portion 99 thereof. The neck portion is piloted concentrically inward of the saddle member 94 so that element 102, as shown in Figs. 3 and 6, bears :against a centrally located platform portion 103 of the saddle member.

The body portion 100 of the thermostatic element is stationary in operation and extends through a central opening 104 formed in an element plate 105; the em larged flange section 101 of the thermostatic element bearing against the bottom face of such plate. The element plate covers over the upper end of the central chamber 29 as well as the upper end of the discharge chamber 28 to effectively seal off and separate such two chambers with respect to each other. Annular seal rings 106 and 107 are compressed to eifect sealing engagement between the element plate, the upper end of wall 68 and the main body wall 21 of the housing 11.

Disposed about opening 104 in the element plate and immediately adjacent the thermostatic unit so as to communicate with the mixing chamber 29 are plural port means 108 and 109, as best viewed in Figure l of the drawings. Plate 105 is also provided with a pair of concentric

annular projections

110 and 111 on the upper face thereof substantially opposite recesses for receiving the seal rings 106 and 107. The innermost annular projection 110 serves as a locating means for a substantially circular spacer ring 112 which is held beneath the cover plate 33 and serves to define an upper mixing chamber portion 114.

Ring 112 has diametrically opposed openings 113 for the passage of fluid to and through a port or passageway means 115 which communicates directly with the mixed water pilot control valve assembly 14.

In order to properly locate the circular element plate 104 in a substantially oval-shaped recess formed by the wall 34 at the upper end of the housing, a plurality of guide keys or ribs 116 extend inwardly of the wall 34 to engage mating cut-outs in the periphery of the element plate which is preferably rotated slightly, after insertion, thereby cutting into the base of the ribs to lock the plate in position. As seen best in Figure 1, in particular, element plate 105 may thus be inserted into the recess 34 at the upper end of the valve body and held in proper location and disposition in such recess by virtue of the interlocking arrangement of the specified slot and key arrangement so provided.

Passageway 115, as mentioned, leads to the pilot valve assembly 14 and particularly intersects chamber 120 provided by the hollowed out interior of the boss projection 24. The pilot valve assembly 14 like the two other pilot valve assemblies 12 and 13 previously described, includes a resilient gasket member 121 held by cage means 122 having the usual bleed port 123. A solenoid coil 124 serves to actuate a needle valve core member 125 to close over a central opening 126 of the gasket means. Gasket means 121 seats against an annular seat portion 127 formed at the periphery of an outlet passageway means 128 communicating directly 'with the substantially annular discharge chamber 28. The pilot valve assembly 14, of course, moves within the chamber 120 in response to water pressure on one side and the action of the needle valve core member 125 on its opposite side; the latter operating in response to electrical energization of the solenoid coil 124 according to known concepts.

With the arrangement thus described, cold water entering inlet 20 passes directly into passageway means 67 so as to surround the upper end of the piston valve 90. If such piston valve is seated tightly against the smooth lower face of the element plate 105, as shown in Figure 3, the cold water will be prevented from entering the mixing chamber 29 surrounding the thermostatic element 98. Under proper thermal conidtions, however, piston 90 will be lowered sufficiently from its Figure 3 position to permit the passage of cold water over the upper end of the piston 90 and into chamber 29 where it will admix with hot water entering beneath the lower end of such piston 90 via the port or passageway means 44. The water mixed in chamber 29 will pass upwardly through the

ports

108 and 109 of the element plate to enter the upper mixing chamber 114 defined by the ring member 112. It should be noted that the mixing piston assembly thus described may be replaced with any one of the corresponding assemblies disclosed in my above 8 mentioned application Serial No. 547,110, now Patent No. 2,830,765.

Mixed water in the upper mixing chamber passes outwardly therefrom via the exit ports 113 (shown best in Figure 6) to the substantially annular areaway surrounding the ring 112. Such mixed water is discharged into the exit passageway means 115 to reach the mixed water pilot control valve assembly 14. Since the control valve assembly 14 operates in the same manner as the pilot control valve assembly 12 heretofore described, energization of the solenoid coil 124 serves to lift the needle valve core member 125 from the central opening 126 of the gasket member to permit the entry of the mixed water into discharge passageway means 128 which communicates with the substantially annular discharge chamber 28. Passage of the water into chamber 28 outwardly of the valve body is by means of the discharge outlet 27 which communicates with such discharge chamber.

Having thus set forth the description of the elements and their association in the improved valve means of my invention, the operating cycles and control conditions of such valve will now be described.

Briefly, hot water entering inlet 40 is channeled via chamber passageway means 42 to the control station for the pilot control valve assembly 12. Secondary chamber 43 and passageway 44 permit hot water to enter the lower end of the mixing piston cylinder and particularly the interior of the mixing piston 90, providing such piston is raised ofl of a lower seat presented by the interior face of the wall 18 on the valve body.

With the pilot control valve mechanism 12 energized, hot water from inlet chamber 42 is discharged into the discharge chamber means 28 to supply hot water at the discharge outlet 27 which is substantially unaltered in temperature except for heat losses occurring by the passage of such water through the valve body.

With the pilot control valve means 12 deenergized, hot water provided at the passageway 44 at the lower end of the mixing chamber 29 will enter such mixing chamber to surround the thermostatic element 98 causing the latter to expand and particularly the lowermost end portion or movable element 102 to move downwardly and axially relative to its .fixed body portion 100. As such end portion moves downwardly, it forces the saddle member 94 against the compressive force of the preloaded springs 92 and 96, particularly compressing the latter spring and moving the piston and spring 92 therewith. Sufiicient elevated temperatures of the hot water will serve to bottom the piston 90 against the bottom wall 18 of the valve housing thereby completely shutting off the flow of hot water through the mixing chamber. Continued expansion of the thermostatic element is absorbed by movement of the saddle member 94 relative to the piston against the compressive thrust of spring 92; spring 92 thereby serving to accommodate and to present an override function when abnormal thermal conditions exist within the mixing chamber. If the spring 92 was not thus provided, the abnormal expansion of the thermostatic unit 98 would serve to rupture the piston and the lower valve seat provided by wall 18.

As the valve piston lowers, its upper end moves responsively away from the lower face of the element plate to permit cold water entering the cold water inlet 20 and flowing through passageway 67 to enter the mixing chamber 29 over the upper edge of the piston 90. The introduction of cold water to chamber 29 permits intermingling thereof with the hot Water in that chamber and the upper mixing chamber 114 to arrive at a fluid mixture of temperature intermediate the temperatures of the two supply liquids or fluids. In this respect, it will be appreciated that as cold water flows past the thermostatic element 98, the expansion thereof is dampened to effect the desired balance between the hot water passage beneath the lower end of the piston 90 and the cold water passageway overthe upperend of the piston 90.

Mixed water passes from chamber 115 outwardly through the exit ports 113 through the downwardly directed outlet. passageway 115 to the control zone for the pilot 7 control valve assembly 14.

Energization of the pilot control valve means 14 permits the escape of the intermixed water from passageway 115 to the discharge chamber 28 and the discharge out- .let 27. While the above described intermixing action transversely related passageway means 71 leading directly to the cold waterpilot control valve assembly 13.

Thus energization and deenergization of the pilot control valve assembly 13 serves to control the passage of cold water directly into the discharge chamber 28 and discharge outlet means 27.

From the foregoing, it will be understood that the pilot control valve means 12 serves to selectively permit the passage of hot water directly into the discharge chamber 28, that the pilot control valve means 13 serves to control the passage of cold water directly into the discharge chamber 28 and that the pilot control valve assembly 14 controls the passage of an intermixture of hot and cold waters into the discharge passageway 28. Therefore, the selective operation of the three pilot control valve assemblies selectively permits thedischarge of hot, cold orintermixed hot and cold waters to the discharge outlet 27. Thus, for example, if it is assumed that hot water is supplied at substantially 180 F., cold water at substantially 40 F. and that the thermostatic unit is designed to produce a regulated mixture of 100 F., then the individual operation of control valve means 12, 13 and 14 will, respectively, provide the dis charge of water at such three named temperatures.

In addition to the performance obtained by the selective energization of any one of the three pilot control valve mechanisms individually, there are also possibilities of obtaining discharge liquids of four additional difference temperatures by energizing two or more of the pilot control valve mechanisms in various combinations.

Thus, assuming the above named temperatures for the supply fluids and their thermostatically controlled intermixture and assuming further that equal volumes of water at such three named temperatures are supplied to discharge passageway 28, although control of the volume of such fluids supplied to chamber 28 may obviously be regulated and varied by design of the internal chambers and passageways of the valve body as desired, then simultaneous energization of the pilot control valve mechanisms 12 and 13 will provide hot water at 180 F. and cold water at 40 F. in chamber 28 to discharge a mixture at a fourth temperature of substantially 110 F.

If both the hot water control valve mechanism 12 plus the mixed Water pilot control valve mechanism 14 are energized simultaneously, then discharge chamber 28 will be provided with both the thermostatically controlled mixture of the hot and cold supply fluids at 100 F. plus the substantially unaltered hot supply ,fluid at 180 F. to provide a discharge mixture having a fifth temperature of substantially 140 F.

If the cold water pilot control valve mechanism 13 and the mixed water control valve mechanism 14 are simultaneously energized then the discharge chamber 28 will be supplied with both the thermostatically controlled mixture of hot and cold water at 100 F. plus at outlet 27 having a temperature of substantially 70- F.

If all three of the pilot control valve mechanisms'12, 13 and 14 are energized simultaneously, then admixture of both the hot and cold supply liquids at 180 F. and 40 B, respectively, plus the thermostatically controlled intermixture of such supply liquids at F. will occur in chamber 28 to achieve a discharge mixture at outlet 27 having a seventh temperature of substantially It is to be understood, of course, that such temperatures as specified hereinabove, are for purposes of illustration only and are not to be construed as restrictive of the operational results obtainable with my new valve.

It is believed from the foregoing description of the elements and their organization and operation, that those familiar in the art will appreciate and understand the remarkable versatility and accomplishment of my present invention, It is further to be understood that while I have herein described and shown my invention as related to a preferred embodiment thereof and while I have specified certain operating conditions at temperatures as might occur in its preferable application, nevertheless such limitations are for purposes of illustration only so that while various changes, modifications and substitutions of equivalent may be made in the structure shown and described, nevertheless such -will not depart from the spirit and scope of my present invention. Therefore, it is not my intention to be limited to the particular form and features of my invention as herein described and shown except as may appear in the following appended claims.

I claim:

7 1. A .valve of the class described for intermixing hot and cold fluids, comprising, a main valve body, a cylindrical chamber disposed substantially centrally of said valve body, a substantially annular chamber within said valve body substantially surrounding said central chamber, a hot fluid inlet, a cold fluid inlet, first pilot valve means controlling the flow of fluid from said hot fluid inlet to said annular chamber, second pilot valve means controlling the flow of cold fluid from said cold fluid inlet to said annular chamber, a discharge outlet communicating with said annular chamber, a mixing valve means in said central chamber, thermostatic means motivating said mixing valve means in a first direction, spring means opposing said thermostatic means and biasing said mixing valve means in a second direction, first passageway means communicating between said hot fluid inlet and one end of said central chamber, second passageway means communicating between said cold fluid inlet and the opposite end of said central chamber, axial movement of said mixing valve means in said first and second directions serving to control and proportion the flow of said hot and cold fluids into the opposite ends of said central chamber for their intermixture adjacent and surrounding said thermostatic means, a third pilot valve means communicating with said annular chamber, an outlet means leading from said central chamber to said third pilot valve means whereby the flow of intermixed fluids into said annular chamber is controlled by the operation of said third pilot valve means, and means for selectively operating said first, second and third pilot valve means individually or simultaneously to achieve a plurality of intermixtures of said hot, cold and intermixed fluids in said annular chamber.

2. A mixing valve of the class described for intermixing hot and cold fluids, comprising, a main valve body, a substantially centrally located cylindrical chamber within said body, a substantially annular chamber within said valve body substantially surrounding said central chamber, a hot fluid inlet at one end of said valve body, a cold fluid inlet at the same end of said valve body, first pilot control valve means controlling fluid flow from said hot fluid inlet to said annular chamber, second pilot control means controlling fluid flow from said cold fluid inlet to said annular chamber, a discharge outlet communicating cold water at 40 F. to achieve a sixth discharge mixture 7 with said annular chamber, a piston valve means in said central chamber, thermostatic means controlling axial motivation of said piston valve means in a first direction, spring means opposing said thermostatic means and biasing said piston valve means in a second axial direction, first passageway means communicating between said hot fluid inlet and one end of said central chamber, second passageway means communicating between said cold fluid inlet and the opposite end of said central chamber, axial move ment of said piston valve means in said first and second directions serving to control and proportion the flow of fluids through said two named passageway means and into said central chamber to achieve an intermixture of preselected temperature, an outlet means leading from said central chamber to a third pilot control valve means, and

third passageway means leading from said third pilot control valve means to said substantially annular chamber, the operation of said third pilot control valve means serving to regulate the passage of said intermixture from said central chamber to said annular chamber, an electrical solenoid means associated with each of said pilot control valve means capable of being simultaneously or individually energized as selected to effect corresponding actuation of said three named pilot control valve means whereby the discharge of fluid at any one of seven preselected temperatures may be achieved at said discharge outlet means.

3. A mixing valve of the class described for intermixing fluids of dissimilar temperature, comprising, a main valve body, a substantially centrally located cylindrical chamber within said body, a substantially annular chamber within said valve body substantially surrounding said central chamber, a first fluid inlet, a second fluid'inlet, first, second and third pilot control valve mechanisms in said body, a thermostatically actuated mixing mechanism mounted in said central chamber, first passageway means 12 communicating between said first fluid inlet and said first pilot control valve mechanism, second passageway means communicating between said first pilot control valve mechanism and said annular chamber, third passageway means communicating between said second fluid inlet and said second pilot control valve mechanism, fourth passageway means communicating between said second pilot control valve mechanism and said annular chamber, fifth passageway means communicating between said first fluid inlet and one end of said central chamber, sixth passageway means communicating between said second fluid inlet and the opposite end of said central chamber, seventh passageway means communicating between said mixing mechanism and said third pilot control valve means, eighth passageway means communicating between said third pilot control valve mechanism and said annular chamber, and a discharge outlet communicating with said annular chamber, said first and second pilot control valve means serving to control the passage of said first and second fluids, respectively, directly into said annular chamber, said mixing valve serving to proportion the amounts of said first and second fluids entering said central chamber to produce thereby an intermixture of said fluids of predetermined temperature, said third pilot control valve mechanism serving to control the flow of said intermixture to said annular chamber, and means for selectively operating each of said pilot control valve mechanisms individually or two or more thereof simultaneously as desired.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,476,718 Leonard Dec. 11, 1923 2,332,995 Eaton Oct. 26, 1943 2,453,409 Chace Nov. 9, 1948 2,620,133 Obermaier Dec. 2, 1952