Serviceable Faucet Temperature Protection With Integrated Stop Valve
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Solution Overview
Problem
Temperature protection systems for faucets, specifically thermostatic mixing valves, face issues with unreliable internal check valves that can lead to cross-connection risks and maintenance challenges, requiring additional stop valves for robustness but causing service disruptions and flow rate adjustments difficulties.
Innovation Solution
A serviceable temperature protection system incorporating a stop valve assembly with an externally adjustable ball valve between the stop valve element and the water source, allowing for easy maintenance and minimizing water service interruptions, including methods for servicing and replacing components without shutting down the entire facility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If an additional stop valve is added between the water source line and the TMV to provide robust backflow protection, then the reliability of the temperature protection system is improved, but the device complexity increases and maintenance becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the stop valve and ball valve into a single integrated stop valve assembly, where the ball valve is incorporated within the stop valve body. This merging reduces the number of separate components while maintaining the dual functionality of both valves, thereby improving reliability without proportionally increasing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The stop valve assembly is designed to perform multiple functions: the stop valve provides shut-off capability for maintenance, the ball valve provides continuous flow control and additional backflow protection, and the integrated design allows both valves to be serviced through a single access point. This multi-functionality addresses the reliability need while managing complexity.
2Ease of operation
If the stop valve is manually adjusted for flow control, then the ease of operation is improved, but the ease of repair deteriorates because the valve position cannot be easily restored after servicing
Solution Approach 1:
The ball valve acts as an intermediary between the water source and the stop valve. During maintenance, the ball valve can be closed to isolate the stop valve for servicing while maintaining water flow to other parts of the system. This intermediary allows the stop valve to be repaired without shutting down the entire facility and without difficulty in restoring flow settings.
3Device complexity
If the TMV check valve is made inaccessible within the valve body, then the device complexity is reduced, but the ease of repair deteriorates as maintenance requires shutting down the entire facility
Solution Approach 1:
The stop valve assembly is designed as a separable unit that can be removed from the TMV without affecting the TMV's installation or operation. The ball valve and stop valve element can be serviced independently by removing only the stop valve assembly, segmenting the maintenance requirement from the entire facility shutdown and improving ease of repair while maintaining structural simplicity.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system provides a more reliable and accessible temperature protection with reduced service disruptions, enabling easy maintenance and adjustment of flow rates, ensuring the system's robustness and reliability in preventing cross-connections between hot and cold water systems.
Implementation Method 1
The purpose of the thermostatic mixing valve (hereinafter, 'TMV') is to ensure that the water temperature does not exceed a pre-set 'safe' temperature
Implementation Method 2
The ball valve is rotatable about an axis between an open position and a closed position. The open position allows fluid flow between the water inlet tube and the stop valve element, and the closed position substantially prevents fluid flow between the water inlet tube and the stop valve element
Implementation Method 3
The stop valve element is disposed within the stop valve receiving tube and interposed at least in part between the outlet tube and the water inlet
Implementation Method 4
a rotatably insertable bushing is coupled to the stop valve body within the water inlet tube and forms at least part of a valve seat for the stop valve
Data Source
AI summary
A temperature protection system includes a thermostatic mixing valve (TMV) and a stop valve assembly. The TMV is operably coupled to provide temperature controlled water to a faucet. The stop valve assembly is coupled between the TMV and a source of water. The stop valve assembly has a stop valve body, a stop valve element, and a ball valve. The stop valve body has a stop valve receiving tube, a water inlet tube and an outlet tube. The water inlet tube defines a water inlet to the stop valve body, and the outlet tube forms a water outlet to the stop valve body. The stop valve element is disposed within the stop valve receiving tube and interposed at least in part between the outlet tube and the water inlet. The ball valve disposed in the inlet tube between the stop valve element and the water inlet.