A fluid flow control system having a fluid inlet configured to be operatively coupled to a fluid source, a fluid outlet in fluid communication with the fluid inlet such that fluid may exit the system therethrough, a proximity sensor for detecting the position of an object within a region adjacent the sensor, and a flow control device configured to regulate fluid flow between the inlet and outlet in response to object detection by the sensor, wherein the flow control device varies the fluid flow proportional to the detected distance of an object from the sensor. A water flow control system for use in a shower environment is also provided, as well as a shower control system, methods for controlling water flow based on sensing of the presence and location of an object, and methods for reducing water consumption.

A valve core connection structure of a valve assembly comprising: a body, two stop valve sets, two limitation structures, and two locking sleeves. The body includes a holder, a cold-water inflow connector, a hot-water inflow connector, a first outflow connector, a second outflow connector, a cold-water inflow seat, and a hot-water inflow seat. Each stop valve set includes a valve core, a limiting loop, a first fixing structure, and a second fixing structure. Each limitation structure is defined between a peripheral fence of each second accommodation cavity and the limiting loop so that the limiting loop is retained on the peripheral fence of each second accommodation cavity, thus limiting rotation of the limiting loop. Each locking sleeve is screwed on the cold-water inflow seat and the hot-water inflow seat so that the limiting loop and the valve core are limited in each second accommodation cavity.

Disclosed is a thermostatic, electric storage, water heater for a water supply terminal, which mainly consists of a water storage tank (2), a heating pipe (3), a three-way water valve (16), an electrical control three-way water valve (11), a thermostatic water valve (9) for mixing hot and cold water, and a controller (13), wherein a horizontal end of the three-way water valve (16) is connected to a water inlet pipe of a hot water source, and a lower end thereof is connected to a second water inlet (17) of the electrical control three-way water valve (11). A fifth water inlet (4) on a lower end of the electrical control three-way water valve (11) is connected to a tap-water pipe, and a horizontal end thereof is connected to a third water inlet (12) of the thermostatic water valve (9) for mixing hot and cold water. Temperature signals and water flow signals from the heating pipe (3), the three-way water valve (16) and a water flow sensor (14) provided inside the thermostatic water valve (9) for mixing hot and cold water are transmitted to the controller (13). The electric water heater can quickly obtain continuous and stable constant-temperature hot water.

A mixing valve that includes a housing having a first outlet, a second outlet, and a mixing chamber; a first flow control valve for controlling flow through the first outlet to the mixing chamber; and a second flow control valve for controlling flow through the second outlet to the mixing chamber; wherein the housing has a length dimension, a width dimension, and a thickness dimension, and the largest of these dimensions is no more than approximately 65 millimeters.

A method including configuring a valve so that an operating force to actuate the valve when in an open position is substantially independent of water flow. The valve includes a first valve member assembly comprising a spool having a connector portion; a first valve member mounted on the spool at a first location and configured to seat against a first valve outlet in a closed position of the valve; and a second valve member mounted on the spool at a second location spaced apart from the first location and configured to seat against a second valve outlet in the closed position of the valve. The method also includes controlling the valve to output a flow of the water having a desired flow rate by moving the spool in a linear direction with a portion of a stepper motor coupled directly to the connector portion of the spool.

A plumbing fitting having a body and a housing located in the body that includes a first inlet for receiving the first fluid, a second inlet for receiving the second fluid, and a mixing chamber. The plumbing fitting includes a first flow control valve operatively coupled to the housing; a second flow control valve operatively coupled to the housing; and an actuator assembly configured to move the first flow control valve relative to the housing to control flow of the first fluid from the first inlet to the mixing chamber, such that the first fluid exerts substantially no net force on the first flow control valve, and configured to move the second flow control valve relative to the housing to control flow of the second fluid from the second inlet to the mixing chamber, such that the second fluid exerts substantially no net force on the second flow control valve.

A water heater system including two or more water storage tanks plumbed in series, parallel or a combination thereof and methods of controlling said water heater systems. The water heater systems may include one or more mixing valves and one or more temperature sensors for providing water at a desired temperature.

A water delivery device that includes a body having a cold water inlet, a hot water inlet, and an outlet; a mixing valve in the body, and a touchscreen user interface on a surface of the body. The mixing valve includes a housing having a mixing chamber that is fluidly connected to the outlet, a first flow control valve moveably disposed in the housing to control a cold water flow from the cold water inlet to the mixing chamber, and a second flow control valve moveably disposed in the housing to control a hot water flow from the hot water inlet to the mixing chamber. The touchscreen user interface allows a user to control a temperature and/or a flow rate of water from the outlet by controlling the first and second flow control valves.

A thermostat for controlling flow of a coolant fluid through an aperture, the thermostat including a temperature sensitive valve for controlling the opening and closing of the aperture, the temperature sensitive valve including: a valve body having a heat sensitive material and a displaceable pin; a flange configured to seal off the aperture when the temperature sensitive valve is closed; a support member and a flexible member located between the flange and the support member; the thermostat further including a valve seat and a control piston configured to control the position of the valve seat within the thermostat.

According to the present invention there is provided a control system (20; 120) for a shower comprising a control lever (42; 142) having a changeable position for setting one or more water flow parameters, where the control lever (42; 142) includes a target (44). The control system (20; 120) further comprises a position sensor arranged to sense the position of the target (42; 142) and a controller (50) arranged to monitor the sensed position of the target (42; 142) and send a corresponding control signal to one or more valves (28; 128) to allow a pre-determined flow rate of water to pass.