Constant temperature valve with electronic control

Abstract

A thermostatic valve is controlled by a motor that receives signals from an electronic control module (ECM). The ECM sends an electric signal corresponding to a desired outlet stream temperature to the motor, which turns the thermostatic valve to a location corresponding to the desired temperature. The ECM also adapts the thermostatic valve capacity to outlet flow demands by restricting and opening inlet valves, ensuring that the thermostatic valve can maintain an equilibrium temperature for both high and low outlet flow applications.

Description

technical field [0001] This invention relates generally to thermostatic valves, and more particularly to electronically controlled thermostatic valves. Background technique [0002] Thermostatic valves in current use control the inlet temperature of the water stream that ultimately exits through a faucet, nozzle, or other outlet device. A thermostatic valve can, for example, regulate the amount of hot and cold water flowing to the outlet stream to compensate for changes in inlet stream pressure and / or temperature, ensuring that the outlet stream temperature remains constant. Known high flow valves are capable of maintaining an equilibrium temperature if pressure and / or temperature changes occur at the inlet (eg, caused by flushing a toilet) as delivery flow approaches the valve's upper capacity. However, the same high flow valves have trouble maintaining an equilibrium outlet temperature when delivery flow is below the valve's capacity, such as in applications using only on...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

However, the same high flow valves have trouble maintaining an equilibrium outlet temperature when the delivery flow is below the valve's capacity, such as in applications using only one nozzle, when pressure and / or temperature changes occur at the inlet.

[0003] Additionally, some thermostatic valves designed for high flow applications (e.g., more than 10 gallons per minute) tend to be unstable if used in low flow applications (e.g., less than 2.5 gallons per minute) if there is a sudden drop in pressure, resulting in Output temperature swing up to 10-15°F

Currently available thermostatic valves are designed for use in high outlet flow or low outlet flow environments, but there are known thermostatic valves that can operate in different flow environments without loss of performance

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