Patent classifications
F16K31/002
ANTI-SCALD DEVICE WITH SHAPE MEMORY SPRING
Provided are anti-scald devices and faucet assemblies comprising anti-scald devices. An anti-scald device can include a housing having a cylindrical interior space comprising a first cavity, a second cavity, a mixing chamber, a hot water inlet, and a cold water inlet, a plunger provided within the cylindrical interior space and comprising a cylindrical protrusion portion that separates the first cavity from the second cavity, a counter spring in the first cavity, and a shape memory alloy (SMA) spring in the second cavity, wherein the anti-scald device is in an inactive configuration when the temperature of the mixed water is below a threshold temperature, and when the mixed water reaches or exceeds a threshold temperature and comes in contact with the SMA spring, the SMA spring is configured to expand to reduce or restrict hot water flow such that the anti-scald is in a fully active configuration.
ANTI-SCALD DEVICE
Provided are anti-scald devices and faucet assemblies comprising anti-scald devices. An anti-scald device can include a housing having a cylindrical interior space comprising a first cavity, a second cavity, a mixing chamber, a hot water inlet, and a cold water inlet, a plunger provided within the cylindrical interior space and comprising a cylindrical protrusion portion that separates the first cavity from the second cavity, a spring in the first cavity, and a wax element in the second cavity, wherein the anti-scald device is in an inactive configuration when the temperature of the mixed water is below a threshold temperature, and when the mixed water reaches or exceeds a threshold temperature and comes in contact with the wax element, the wax element is configured to expand to reduce or restrict hot water flow such that the anti-scald is in a partially active or a fully active configuration.
THERMAL BYPASS VALVE
A thermal bypass valve includes a housing defining a bore along a longitudinal axis and having two inlet ports and two outlet ports; a cap disposed within the bore; a shuttle disposed within the bore and reversibly translatable towards and away from the cap along the longitudinal axis between a first fill position, a cooling position, and a bypass position; and an actuator configured for translating the shuttle along the longitudinal axis between the cooling position and the bypass position. The actuator is formed from a shape memory alloy and is transitionable between a first state and a second state in response to a temperature of the fluid.
PREACTION SPRINKLER VALVE ASSEMBLIES, RELATED DRY SPRINKLER DEVICES ADAPTED FOR LONG TRAVEL, AND FIRE PROTECTION SPRINKLER SYSTEMS
A thermal trigger assembly for remote mechanical actuation of another fire protection system component includes an activation component having a base and a movable member. A bias member biases the movable member from a preactivation to an activated position with respect to the base. A thermally responsive element retains the movable member in the preactivation position until a predetermined thermodynamic condition is reached, when the thermally responsive element loses structural integrity. A flexible connector includes a flexible hollow outer cable housing with one end configured to be stationarily (preferably fixedly) connected with the base. A flexible cable is inside the outer cable housing for sliding movement therein and has one end configured to be stationarily (preferably fixedly) connected with the movable member. The flexible cable is moved with respect to the outer cable housing by movement of the movable member upon loss of structural integrity by the thermally responsive element.
Valve
A valve may include a housing forming one inlet and at least one outlet, an operating unit mounted in the housing, and performing expansion or contraction in accordance with a temperature of a flowing working fluid to selectively connect the at least outlet with the one inlet for exhausting the flowing working fluid outside of the housing, wherein the operating unit includes a sliding member slidably inserted into the interior of the housing, a flange member forming a penetration hole and fixedly mounted inside of the sliding member, a rod movably inserted into the penetration hole of the flange member, and a deformable member fixed at the penetration hole of the flange member and expanded or contracted in accordance with a temperature of the flowing working fluid.
ROTARY VALVE DEVICE
The rotary valve device includes a valve 30, a housing H having a joining surface 14b.sub.1 located at ends of a fitting hole 14a and a through hole 16, a thermostat 110 partially accommodated in the through hole 16, a cylindrical seal member 80, an urging spring 90, and a passage member 60. The passage member 60 includes a cylindrical holding member 61 that is fitted into the fitting hole 14a and holds the cylindrical seal member 80 and the urging spring 90, and a connector member 62. The connector member 62 includes an annular fitting recess 62a.sub.3 into which a part of the cylindrical holding member 61 is fitted, and a detour passage 62a.sub.4 that is divided from the fitting recess by a wall portion to partially accommodate the thermostat and bypasses the cylindrical seal member to communicate with the through hole.
SMART HEATER CONTROL FOR AN AIR DRYER
An air dryer having a heater element associated with its valves to prevent freezing at cold temperatures. The air dryer includes a temperature sensor and an electronic controller that reads the temperature sensor during normal operations and selectively opens and closes certain of the valves when the temperature falls below a predetermined threshold to enter a safe mode that avoids freezing of the valves during operation. If an exhaust valve is open when safe mode is entered, the corresponding inlet valve is closed, both of the exhaust valves are closed, and the other inlet valve if opened. If an exhaust valve is not open, both inlet valves are opened and both exhaust valves are closed.
VALVE ASSEMBLIES WITH INTEGRATED TEMPERATURE CONTROL
A valve control assembly includes a valve body having an inlet adapted to be coupled to a source of process fluid having a first temperature, an outlet, and a fluid flow path extending between the inlet and the outlet, and a bonnet coupled to the valve body. An inlet port, an outlet port, an annular plenum, an inlet passage, and an outlet passage are integrally formed in the valve body or the bonnet. The inlet port is adapted to be coupled to source of media and the annular plenum is disposed between the inlet port and the outlet port, immediately adjacent a portion of the fluid flow path. The inlet passage directs the media from the inlet port to the annular plenum, which changes a temperature of the process fluid flowing through the fluid flow path from the first temperature to a second temperature different from the first temperature.
Faucet Assembly With Integrated Anti-Scald Device
Improved fluid supply assemblies for fluid systems are provided. In exemplary embodiments, the present disclosure provides for improved fluid supply assemblies and related features, systems and methods of use. More particularly, the present disclosure provides for advantageous faucet assemblies (e.g., electrically or mechanically actuated faucet assemblies) having an integrated anti-scald device and having an integrated temperature mixing valve. The present disclosure provides for a faucet assembly having an integrated temperature mixing valve, and/or having an integrated anti-scald device configured to stop the inlet flow of hot water in the event the mixed outlet water temperature exceeds a user-selected set point. Advantageous faucet assemblies of the present disclosure can prevent scalding as defined by ASST; 1070, Improved, convenient and effective systems and methods for utilizing improved faucet assemblies in fluid systems are provided.
Thermal actuator
A thermal actuator has a bellows construction with a heat-transfer fluid (e.g. oil) located outside the bellows and a thermal expansion material (e.g. wax) located inside the interior volume of the bellows.