CA2243433C

CA2243433C - Flow valve

Info

Publication number: CA2243433C
Application number: CA002243433A
Authority: CA
Inventors: Chris R. Braathen
Original assignee: COSO AS
Current assignee: COSO AS
Priority date: 1998-07-16
Filing date: 1998-07-16
Publication date: 2002-03-26
Anticipated expiration: 2018-07-16
Also published as: CA2243433A1

Abstract

A flow valve comprises a valve seating housing having a cavity, the cavity having a cold inlet, a first conduit and a variable temperature outlet; a valve body having a cold inlet port in flow communication with the cold inlet of the valve seating housing, a first cold outlet port in flow communication with the first conduit of the valve seating housing, and a second cold outlet port in flow communication with the variable temperature outlet; a second conduit in flow communication with the variable temperature outlet, the valve body movably positioned within the valve seating housing between a first position in which the cold inlet port and the second cold outlet port are closed, a second position in which the second cold outlet port is closed and the cold inlet port is at least partially open and a third position in which the cold inlet port and the second cold outlet port are at least partially open; and, an actuator drivingly connected to the valve body for moving the valve body between the first, second and third positions.

Description

Title: FLOW VALVE
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a fluid flow control valve. In particular, this invention relates to a combined mixing valve and stop valve which may be used in association with, for example, a hot water heater.
BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION
Hot water tanks are used in many applications in both residential and industrial/commercial applications. Typically, water is heated in a tank (the hot water tank) and stored there until it is required for use. Accordingly, the hot water tank has a cold water inlet port so as to allow water, typically cold water, to be fed into the tank to be heated.
When hot water is required, it is withdrawn through a hot water exit port.
Typically, a tank for heating hot water has a temperature control so that the user may adjust the temperature which the water will reach at steady state. In some applications, it may be advantageous to be able to moderate the temperature of the hot water without resetting the temperature of the thermostat of the hot water tank. To do this, cold water, such as that which is fed to the tank, may be mixed with the hot water exiting from the tank to obtain a source of water at a moderated temperature between the temperature of the heated water in the tank and the temperature of the inlet water to the tank. For example, United States Patent No. 3,011,523 (Bayer) discloses a mixing valve capable of mixing hot and cold water to provide water at a moderated temperature.
Bayer discloses such a structure wherein all of the parts are housed within a singular tubular housing. One disadvantage with the device of Bayer is that it comprises a complicated construction which is difficult to manufacture and assemble thus increasing the cost of the unit as well as decreasing the reliability of the unit.
SUMMARY OF THF~PRESENT INVENTION
In accordance with the instant invention, there is provided a flow valve comprising:
(a) a valve seating housing having a cavity, the cavity having a cold inlet, a first conduit and a variable temperature outlet;
(b) a valve body having a cold inlet port in flow communication with the cold inlet of the valve seating housing for cold water to enter the valve body, a first cold outlet port in flow communication with the first conduit of the valve seating housing for cold water to enter the first conduit, and a second cold outlet port in flow communication with the variable temperature outlet for cold water to enter the variable temperature outlet;
(c) a second conduit in flow communication with the variable temperature outlet for hot water to enter the variable temperature outlet, the valve body movably positioned within the valve seating housing between a first position in which the cold inlet port and the second cold outlet port are closed, a second position in which the second cold outlet port is closed and the cold inlet port is at least partially open and a third position in which the cold inlet port and the second cold outlet port are at least partially open; and, (d) an actuator drivingly connected to the valve body for moving the valve body between the first, second and third positions.
In one embodiment, a hot outlet port is positioned at one end of the second conduit and the valve seating housing and the valve body define the hot outlet port.

The cold inlet port and the second cold outlet port may be positioned opposed to each other. Further, the cold inlet port may be larger than the second cold outlet port.
In another embodiment, the valve body is rotatably mounted in the valve housing and the cold inlet port is longer in the direction of rotation of the valve body than the second cold outlet port.
The first conduit may be positioned within the second conduit. Preferably, the flow valve is adapted for attachment to a hot water tank having a cold inlet and a hot outlet with the second conduit connected to the hot outlet from the hot water tank and the first conduit connected to the cold inlet to the hot water tank.
In another embodiment, the cavity has a wall in which the inlets and the outlets are positioned and the cold inlet port and the second cold outlet port are selectively closed or partially closed by movement of the valve body relative to the valve seating housing so that the respective port faces, or at least partially faces, the wall.
One advantage of the instant invention is that it provides a combined mixing valve and stop valve which comprise a minimum of moving parts. Further, the device is of a simple construction which facilitates both the manufacture and the assembly of the device. In addition, due to the simple construction, the device has a high reliability even after extended use.
A further advantage of the instant invention is that the connection of the hot and cold water feed pipes to a hot water tank may be made at a single location. This facilitates the connection of the valve to the hot water tank. Further, as all plumbing connections to the tank are made at one particular location, the installation of the hot water tank is simplified.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAVNING FIGURES
These and other advantages of the instant invention will be more fully and completely understood in accordance with the following description of a preferred embodiment of the invention in which:
Figure 1 is a perspective view of a hot water tank with the flow valve attached;
Figure 2 is an exploded view of the flow control valve shown in Figure 1;
Figure 3 is a view of the valve housing with the valve body positioned therein in the direction of arrow 3 in Figure 2;
Figure 4 is a view of the valve housing with the valve body positioned therein in the direction of arrow 4 in Figure 2;
Figure 5 is a cross-section along the line 5-5 of Figure 2 of the flow control valve of Figure 2;
Figure 6 is a cross-section along the line 6-6 of the flow control valve when set into position shown in Figure 5;
Figure 7 is top plan view in the direction of arrow 7 of the flow control valve when set into position shown in Figure 5;
Figure 8 is a cross-section along the line 5-5 of Figure 2 of the flow control valve of Figure 2;
Figure 9 is a cross-section along the line 9-9 of the flow control valve when set into position shown in Figure 8;
Figure 10 is top plan view in the direction of arrow 10 of the flow control valve when set into position shown in Figure 8.
Figure 11 is a cross-section along the line 5-5 of Figure 2 of the flow control valve of Figure 2;
Figure 12 is a cross-section along the line 12-12 of the flow control valve when set into position shown in Figure 11; and, .. CA 02243433 1998-07-16 Figure 13 is top plan view in the direction of arrow 13 of the flow control valve when set into position shown in Figure 11.
DESCRIPTION OF 'REFERRED EMBODIMENT
Referring to Figure 1, a flow control valve 10 according to the instant invention is shown affixed to the top 12 of hot water tank 14.
Cold water feed pipe 16 is affixed to one port of flow control valve 10 and hot water pipe 18 is affixed to another port of valve 10. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that flow valve 10 may be connected to tank 14 at any desire location and need not necessarily be connected to tank 14 at top 12.
The hot water tank may be of any type which is used either residentially or commercially/industrially. Hot water tank 14 may be any tank known in the art which is used to heat water or heat water and store the heated water for later use. Generally, hot water tank 14 includes a vessel for receiving water and one or more heating devices for heating the water in the vessel (not shown). The heating device may use combustion (e.g. the combustion of oil or natural gas). Alternately, the heating device may comprise electrical resistance heating.
Referring to Figure 2, it can be seen that flow valve 10 comprises valve housing 20, valve body 22 and control knob 24.
Valve housing 20 is provided a plurality of conduits for receiving and delivering cold water to tank 14 and for receiving hot water from tank 14 and delivering it to an external member such as hot water pipe 18. As shown in Figures 2 and 5, valve housing 20 has a first conduit 30, a second conduit 32 and a third conduit 34. The distal ends 36, 38 and 40 of conduits 30, 32 and 34 may be adapted, such as by providing a threaded screw, to assist the connection of flow valve 10 to hot water tank 14 and the plumbing where the tank is installed. The threaded screw may .. CA 02243433 1998-07-16 be provided on the external surfaces of conduits 30, 32 and 34, or alternately, as shown in Figure 5, they may be provided on the internal surface. Valve housing 20 also has an inner wall 42, the inner surface of which defines a cavity within which valve body 22 is received (see Figure 5). Inner wall 42 is provided with a first opening 44, a second opening 46 and a third opening 48 (see Figure 5).
As shown in the drawings, valve housing 22 is preferably general T-shaped with first and third conduits 30, 34 extending in a straight line and conduit 32 extending downwardly therefrom at about a ninety degree angle. It will be appreciated that first and third conduits 30, 34 need not be set in an opposed fashion but may define any angle between the conduits provided that the valve body is modified so that it may be adjusted between one position in which it is sealed with respect to at least one of the conduits and another position in which it is in full communication with both conduits.
Valve body 22 has an inner surface 50, an outer surface 52, first port 54, second port 56 and third port 58. Valve body 22 may be of any particular shape provided it is sized to fit within the cavity of valve housing 20 and is movably mounted therein so as to selectively open first port 54 and third port 58. Preferably inner wall 42 of the cavity in valve housing 20 in which valve body 22 is received is cylindrical and outer surface 52 of valve housing 50 is also cylindrical but slightly smaller.
Accordingly, valve body 22 may rotate within valve housing 20. The distance between inner wall 42 of the cavity of valve housing 20 and outer surface 52 of valve body 22 is sufficiently large such that valve body 22 may freely rotate by pressure applied through control knob 24 and sufficiently small so that water, or any other fluid that may be passing therethrough, will not seep therebetween.

_7_ First port 54 and third port 58 are positioned so that when valve body 22 is positioned in the cavity of valve housing 20, first port 54 may be aligned with first conduit 30 and third port 58 may be aligned with third conduit 34. As shown in the preferred embodiment, first and third ports 54 and 58 are positioned in an opposed fashion in a similar manner to first and third conduits 30 and 34. It will be appreciated that if first and third conduits 30 and 34 are at an angle to each other, that first and third ports 54 and 58 would have to be comparably moved. Second port 56 is positioned so as to be aligned with second conduit 32.
Valve housing 20 may also be provided with a plate 60 having an upper surface 62. As shown in Figures 7, 10 and 13, upper surface 62 may be provided with a label indicating the various positions to which control knob 24 may be positioned. Plate 60 may be mounted on valve 10 by, for example, providing a circular cut-out section in the centre thereof and then placing plate 60 on top of valve housing 20 as shown in Figure 5.
Control knob 24 may be drivingly connected to valve body 22 by any means known in the art. As shown in Figure 2, valve housing 20 may have an upwardly extending upper mounting member 64 having a threaded surface 66 provided on the distal end thereof. A mounting cap 68 having a threaded surface 70 may be provided. Threaded surfaces 66 and 70 are sized so that mounting cap may be screwed onto upper mounting member 64 as shown in Figure 5.
Valve body 22 has an upwardly extended member 72 which extends upwardly through opening 74 of mounting cap 68 and is adapted to be secured to control knob 24 so that rotation of control knob 24 will cause valve body 22 to rotate. Control knob 24 may be affixed to upper section 76 by any means known in the art such as, for example, a set screw (not shown). Preferably, at least upper section 76 of upwardly extending _. CA 02243433 1998-07-16 _8_ member 72 has a square cross-sectional profile which is matingly engaged in a similarly sized recess of control knob 24 (not shown). In order to provide a bearing surface between valve body 22 and mounting cap 68, O-ring 78 may be provided. O-ring 78 may be made, for example, from a self-lubricating plastic member, such as nylon, so as to reduce frictional forces which would otherwise arise from the rotation of valve body 22 within valve housing 20 relative to mounting cap 68.
Valve body 22 is connected to a fourth conduit 80 so as to direct the incoming fluid through second port 56 without the fluid mixing with the fluid exiting valve 10 via third conduit 34. Accordingly, as shown in Figure 5, fourth conduit 80 is secured to valve body 22 adjacent second port 56. For example, fourth conduit 80 may have a distal end which has a threaded surface 82 applied thereon. Threaded surface 82 is sized so as to be threadedly received in the threaded surface of second port 56. Fourth conduit 80 may be the feed pipe which extends outwardly from tank 14. Alternately, fourth conduit 80 may be adapted to be connected to the feed pipe to tank 14 as its known in the art. Similarly, second conduit 32 may be adapted to be connected to the exit pipe from tank 14 by any means known in the art. As shown in Figure 2, the distal end of second conduit 32 has a threaded surface 84 which may threadedly engage the exit pipe from tank 14.
Valve 10 further comprises a passageway 86 so as to allow the heated water exiting tank 14 to travel to third conduit 34. Preferably, passageway 86 is defined by valve housing 20 and valve body 22.
Referring to Figures 2 and 5, the lower pardon of valve body 22 has an undercut portion. In particular, valve body 22 is provided with a lower section 92 which is of a reduced diameter compared to outer surface 52.
Lower surface 90 extends between outer surface 52 of valve body 22 and the outer surface of lower section 92. Thus, in the preferred embodiment, passageway 86 is defined between lower section 92 and inner wall 42.
Accordingly, passageway 86 and third opening 48 permit the water exiting tank 14 to be in flow communication with third conduit 34.
In the preferred embodiment, first port 54 is larger than third port 58 so as to force some of the water entering first conduit 30 to pass downwardly through second conduit 32 into tank 14 where it may be heated. Further, first port 54 is also preferably larger than third port 58 so that third port 58 may be partially and, preferably, fully closed while first port 54 is still open and, preferably, substantially open. Thus, as shown in Figure 6, first port 54 may describe a larger arc in the radial direction R than third port 58.
The operation of valve 10 will now be described with reference to Figures 5 -7, 8 - 10 and 11 - 13 which show preferred positions of valve 10. In the position shown in Figures 5 - 7, port 54 is fully aligned with first opening 44. Further, third port 58 is fully aligned with second opening 46. In this position, the supply of cold water to tank 14 is in the fully opened position. Further, third port 58 is also fully aligned with second opening 46 thus maximizing the amount of water entering first conduit 30 which may pass through third port 58 and second opening 46 into third conduit 34. If first conduit 30 is connected to a source of cold water, then cold water will enter first conduit 30 and pass through first opening 44 and first port 54 into valve body 22. A portion of the water will pass downwardly through second port 56 into fourth conduit 80 where is may enter tank 14 and be heated and stored until needed. A portion of the water will pass through third port 58 and second opening 46 into third conduit 34. Water, which may have been heated in tank 14, exits through passageway 86, through third opening 48 into third conduit 34. Presuming tank 14 has been actuated to heat the water, and the water has been in tank 14 for awhile, hot water will exit third opening 48 and rnix with cold water exiting second opening 46. On mixing, the temperature of the hot water exiting third opening 48 will decrease. Since third port 58 is fully on, this will result in the minimum temperature for the water in third conduit 34.
By rotating control knob 24, valve body 22 may be rotated within valve housing 24 so that third part 58 may be partially closed, and preferably, fully closed (as shown in Figure 9). As will be appreciated from Figure 9, as first port 54 describes a greater arc, it may remain substantially in the fully on position while third port 58 is in the fully closed position. In the position shown in Figure 9, cold water may enter through first opening 44 and first port 54 into valve body 22. Third port 58 opens onto inner wall 42 of valve housing 20. Accordingly, all of the incoming cold water will pass downwardly through fourth conduit 80 into tank 14 where it may be heated. Third opening 48 is still open.
Accordingly, hot water may exit through passageway 86 and third opening 48 into third conduit 34. As no cold water exits third port 58 to mix with the hot water, this position represents the maximum hot water temperature which may be achieved using valve 10.
If it is necessary to service the unit, or for other reasons, the supply of cold water to tank 14 may be discontinued by moving control knob 24 to the position shown in Figure 13. In this position, both third port 58 and first port 54 open onto inner wall 42 of housing 20.
Accordingly, the water in conduit 30 will pass through first opening 44 where it will contact valve body 22. Thus, no cold water will pass through fourth conduit 80 into tank 14. It will be appreciated that by rotating handle 24 slightly, first port 54 may be gradually opened so as to allow a diminished flow of water, as may be desired, into tank 14.
It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various modifications may be made to valve 10 and that all of these modifications are within the scope of this invention. In particular, it will be appreciated that each port 54 and 58 may comprise a plurality of ports as opposed to a single port describing a wide arc. Similarly, first opening 44 and second opening 46 may each describe a series of openings. The relative size of first port 54 compared to third port 58 may be varied depending upon the amount of cold water which is desired to pass directly through valve without entering tank 14.

Claims

1. A flow valve comprising:
(a) a valve seating housing having a cavity, the cavity having a cold inlet, a first conduit and a variable temperature outlet;
(b) a valve body having a cold inlet port in flow communication with the cold inlet of the valve seating housing for cold water to enter the valve body, a first cold outlet port in flow communication with the first conduit of the valve seating housing for cold water to enter the first conduit, and a second cold outlet port in flow communication with the variable temperature outlet for cold water to enter the variable temperature outlet;
(c) a second conduit in flow communication with the variable temperature outlet for hot water to enter the variable temperature outlet, the valve body movably positioned within the valve seating housing between a first position in which the cold inlet port and the second cold outlet port are closed, a second position in which the second cold outlet port is closed and the cold inlet port is at least partially open and a third position in which the cold inlet port and the second cold outlet port are at least partially open;
and, (d) an actuator drivingly connected to the valve body for moving the valve body between the first, second and third positions.

2. The flow valve as claimed in claim 1 wherein a hot outlet port is positioned at one end of the second conduit and the valve seating housing and the valve body define the hot outlet port.

3. The flow valve as claimed in claim 1 wherein the cold inlet port and the second cold outlet port are positioned opposed to each other.

4. The flow valve as claimed in claim 3 wherein the cold inlet port is larger than the second cold outlet port.

5. The flow valve as claimed in claim 1 wherein the valve body is rotatably mounted in the valve housing and the cold inlet port is longer in the direction of rotation of the valve body than the second cold outlet port.

6. The flow valve as claimed in claim 1 wherein the first conduit is positioned within the second conduit.

7. The flow valve as claimed in claim 6 wherein the flow valve is adapted for attachment to a hot water tank having a cold inlet and a hot outlet with the second conduit connected to the hot outlet from the hot water tank and the first conduit connected to the cold inlet to the hot water tank.

8. The flow valve as claimed in claim 1 wherein the cavity has a wall in which the inlets and the outlets are positioned and the cold inlet port and the second cold outlet port are selectively closed or partially closed by movement of the valve body relative to the valve seating housing so that the respective port faces, or at least partially, the wall.

9. A flow valve comprising:
(a) a valve seating housing having a cavity, the cavity having a first inlet, a first conduit and an outlet;
(b) a valve body having a first port in flow communication with the first inlet of the valve seating housing, a second port in flow communication with the first conduit of the valve seating housing, and a third port in flow communication with the outlet of the valve seating housing;
(c) a second conduit in flow communication with the outlet of the valve seating housing, the valve body movably positioned within the valve seating housing between a first position in which the first port and the third port are closed, a second position in which the third port is closed and the first port is at least partially open and a third position in which the first port and the third port are at least partially open; and, (d) an actuator drivingly connected to the valve body for moving the valve body between the first second and third positions.

10. The flow valve as claimed in claim 9 wherein a fourth port is positioned at one end of the second conduit.

11. The flow valve as claimed in claim 9 wherein the first port and the third port are positioned opposed to each other.

12. The flow valve as claimed in claim 9 wherein the first port is larger than the third port.

13. The flow valve as claimed in claim 9 wherein the valve body is rotatably mounted in the valve housing and the first port is longer in the direction of rotation of the valve body than the third port.

14. The flow valve as claimed in claim 9 wherein the first conduit is positioned within the second conduit.

15. The flow valve as claimed in claim 14 wherein the flow valve is adapted for attachment to a hot water tank having a cold inlet and a hot outlet with the second conduit connected to the hot outlet from the hot water tank and the first conduit connected to the cold inlet to the hot water tank.

16. The flow valve as claimed in claim 9 wherein the cavity has a wall in which the inlets and the outlets are positioned and the first port and the third port are selectively closed or partially closed by movement of the valve body relative to the valve seating housing so that the respective port faces, or at least partially, the wall.

17. A flow valve comprising:
(a) a first member having a cavity, the cavity having an inlet for connection to a fluid supply at one temperature, a conduit for connection to a heating circuit having an entry port and an exit port, and an outlet for connection to a fluid supply at a second temperature;

(b) a second member positioned within the first member and having first, second and third ports;
(c) a first passageway extending between the inlet of the first member and the first port of the second member;
(d) a second passageway extending between the second port of the second member and the entry port of the heating circuit;
(e) a third passageway extending between the third port of the second member and the outlet of the first member;
(f) a fourth passageway extending between the exit port of the heating circuit and the outlet of the first member, and, (g) an actuator drivingly connected to one of the first and second members for moving the first member relative to the second member, the first member movably positioned with respect to the second member between a first position in which the first port and the third port are closed, a second position in which the third port is closed and the first port is at least partially open and a third position in which the first port and the third port are at least partially open.

18. The flow valve as claimed in claim 17 wherein the second member is rotatably mounted in the first member and the first port is longer in the direction of rotation of the second member than the third port.

19. The flow valve as claimed in claim 17 wherein the second passageway is positioned within the fourth passageway.