A four-way valve includes a body and a valve component. The body includes a valve chamber and first to fourth communication channels which communicate with the valve chamber at positions arranged in sequence in a predefined rotational direction and cause the valve chamber to communicate with an outside. The valve component is rotatable in the predefined rotational direction and switches the four-way valve to be in at least one of: a first state in which the first and second communication channels communicate with the first region and the third and fourth communication channels communicate with the third region; and a second state in which the second communication channel communicates with the first region, the third communication channel communicates with the second region, and the first and fourth communication channels communicate with the third region.

A water heating and treatment system includes a water heater, a hot water outflow line from the water heater, and a cold water supply line to supply water to the water heater. The cold water supply line includes at least one of an anti-scale device, and a UV sanitation lamp. A mixing station supplies a temperature regulated heated water to one or multiple temperature zones. A mixing station supplies heated water to at least a first temperature zone at a first hot water temperature. The water heater, the anti-scale device, the UV sanitation lamp and the mixing station are contained in a single enclosure having at least one sliding transparent wall through which components can be viewed. A plurality of pipe connections passing through a rear panel of said single enclosure are also described.

The invention relates to a control cartridge for single-lever mixer taps, comprising a housing in which a ceramic base disk and a rotatable and displaceable ceramic control disk resting on the base disk are situated. An inlet for the cold water and hot water, respectively, and an outlet for the mixed water are situated in the base disk, and the mixed water is diverted in the control disk and leaves the control cartridge via the outlet in the base disk. In order for automatic scalding protection to be integrated into the control cartridge, i.e., for the control cartridge to automatically close in the event of a scalding temperature of the mixed water, according to the invention at least one shape memory alloy (SMA) element is situated on the control disk, and takes on the temperature of the mixed water during operation of the control cartridge, and upon reaching a scalding temperature of the mixed water, expands and hereby automatically moves the control disk into the closed position in which no water arrives at the outlet, and the SMA element is supported on the one hand on the control disk and on the other hand on the housing.

An electronic shower system including a mixing valve operably coupled to a mixing valve drive, and a diverter valve operably coupled to a diverter valve drive and in fluid communication with the mixing valve. A controller is in communication with the mixing valve drive and the diverter valve drive. A user interface includes a removable module in communication with the controller.

A faucet assembly including a handle that rotates about a rotational axis extending perpendicular to an angled interface for adjusting a water parameter.

A water valve includes a valve body, a stationary sleeve, and a movable sleeve. The stationary sleeve is received in the valve body, and the movable sleeve is slidably disposed in the stationary sleeve. A partition plate is formed in the movable sleeve to partition the movable sleeve into a cold water cavity and a hot water cavity at two ends respectively. An external wall of the movable sleeve is formed with an annular groove positionally corresponding to the partition plate. When the partition plate is pushed under different pressure of cold water and hot water, the movable sleeve is moved to regulate flow ratio of cold water and hot water. Besides, water is received in the annular groove and the gap between the stationary sleeve and the movable sleeve for cushion and lubrication. Thus, the movable sleeve is easier to move for regulation.

The concepts relate to reducing energy loss associated with hot water systems. One example is manifest as a system with an automatic hot water recovery apparatus and selective hot water isolation devices. In one example a selective hot water isolation device is configured to be connected in fluid flowing relation with a first water line and a second water line and the selective hot water isolation device is configured to control water cross-over from the second water line into the first water line based upon water flow through the first water line.

Apparatuses, systems, and methods for brewing a desired portion of a beverage, such as a single-cup portion of coffee, are provided. The system can include one or more hopper assemblies configured to provide a controlled dose of beverage material to a brew chamber. The system can also include a water input system configured to wet the ground beverage material as the grinds enter the brew chamber and substantially prevent steam from reaching grinder components of the system. Further, the system can include an automatic cleaning mechanism such that a user does not need to manually clean components of a brewing machine between brew cycles.

A method of hydraulic fracturing of an oil producing formation includes the provision of a heating apparatus which is transportable and that has a vessel for containing water. The method contemplates heating the water up to a temperature of about 200 F. (93.3 C.). A water stream of cool or cold water is transmitted from a source to a mixer, the cool water stream being at ambient temperature. The mixer has an inlet that receives cool or cold water from the source and an outlet that enables a discharge of a mix of cool or cold water and the hot water. After mixing in the mixer, the water assumes a temperature that is suitable for mixing with chemicals that are used in the fracturing process, such as a temperature of about 40-120 F.+ (4.4-48.9 C.+). An outlet discharges a mix of the cool and hot water to surge tanks or to mixing tanks. In the mixing tanks, a proppant and an optional selected chemical or chemicals are added to the water which has been warmed. From the mixing tanks, the water with proppant and optional chemicals is injected into the well for part of the hydraulic fracturing operation. The mixer preferably employs lateral fittings that enable heated water to enter the mixer bore at an acute angle. The mixer can also provide a lateral fitting that exits the mixer bore upstream of the first lateral fitting, the second lateral fitting transmitting water via a conduit such as a hose to the heater.

A faucet assembly including a handle that rotates about a rotational axis extending perpendicular to an angled interface for adjusting a water parameter.