American Standard International Inc.

Emech Control Limited

Unova, Inc.

Peter James Jeromson

Jamie Jon Aorangi Wilkinson

James Raymond Bilyard

Bradley James Houghton

Peter Stephen Barnes

Giscard Hubertus Theodoor Rutten

David John Parkinson

Harold Edgar Forrest

Two problems with existing electronically controlled mixing valves for domestic use is their size and difficulty accessing and repairing them. Their size means that they often become hidden behind wall linings, and because of the way in which they are plumbed into the pipework of a house, they are difficult to access and remove for repair or replacement. Disclosed is a compact and replaceable mixing valve cartridge that can be mated to a fixed fitting that is permanently plumbed into the pipework of a house. The compact size allows the cartridge to be positioned behind the type of removable face plates that are often installed over existing manually operated mixing valves. Simplified valve actuators and a compact mixing and temperature sensing configuration have facilitated the compact size. The valve cartridge can simply be accessed, unbolted and removed, without the need for extensive plumbing re-work.

Electronically controllable valves and mixing valves

A control valve has a valve body and a flow control element preferably in the form of a disc, the valve body defining at least one inlet passage, the inlet passage culminating in an opening which is surrounded at least partially by a flow control surface, and the flow control element is so arranged as to be able to pass close to the flow control surface and across the opening to adjust the flow rate of at least one fluid which is caused to pass through the valve body, wherein the flow control element is constrained within the valve body by a stopping member, the stopping member being adapted to allow a positive clearance to exist between the flow control element and the flow control surface. The stopping member is preferably adjustable, allowing the positive clearance to be adjusted.

Control valve

A sensing arrangement for sensing one or more properties of a fluid is provided. The sensing arrangement includes a fluid flow path () and a sensing means () to sense one or more properties of the fluid. The sensing means () is positioned or positionable within the fluid flow path (). In use, the sensing arrangement directs the fluid in a substantially spiral flow () within the fluid flow path () past the sensing means (). Also provided is a method of sensing one or more properties of a fluid and a fluid system for controlling one or more properties of a fluid.

Fluid sensing arrangement and mixing system

The present invention provides a mixing valve () suitable for electric motor () actuation, particularly stepper motor actuation. It also provides a servo mixing valve system, which includes stepper motors for actuation and optionally includes a solenoid switched outlet manifold and a combination mixing and dye. The present invention also provides an actively controlled bathroom shower mixing system including temperature formation feedback.

Valve system for servo control of fluid flows

The fluid supply apparatus supplies and controls one or more fluids while adjusting/controlling one or more continuously parameters; and includes an outlet, at least one control valve and a touchless user control interface. For example a faucet has sensors mounted thereon to control water flow ( ) and temperature ( ). For example a user hand in field ( ) will increase temperature over time and decrease in field ( ). The on/off sensor field may include the water stream, a bi-colour light emitting diode indicates temperature, temperature feedback means maintains the desired temperature, a battery or super capacitor allows operation or fluid shut off if power fails, an anti-tamper feature requires the fluid to be shut off if more than one sensor is covered and a time prevents waster wastage. The hygienic touchless interface may be in a tile or flat plate. Other applications may include panel mounted fluid control systems for controlling a plurality of fluid types and associated parameters.

Growing community of inventors

Auckland, New Zealand

Peter James Jeromson