American Standard Europe B.v.b.a.

Ideal Standard International Bvba

Theo Thoennes

Juergen Sponheimer

Frank Christ

Jürgen Sponheimer

The present invention provides an in-line valve cartridge for use in sanitary fittings. The valve cartridge of the present invention includes a generally cylindrical housing having a proximate extent for support in a sanitary fitting, a distal extent from which water leaves the cartridge and a longitudinal body extending therebetween. The body has a thickness delineated by inner and outer peripheral surfaces with the inner peripheral surface further defining an elongated lumen thereby. The housing further includes an annular aperture that accommodates placement of a driving member therethrough and includes opposing extents that operate as stops for the driving member and correspond to the valve cartridge's open and closed positions. In addition, rotating and stationary ceramic disks are disposed in tandem wherein the stationary disk has at least one aperture for through flow of cold water, hot water or a combination thereof. At least one protrusion depends outwardly from a portion of the inner peripheral surface adjacent the proximate extent so as to define at least one each of a corresponding proximate seat and a distal seat therein. The proximate and distal seats support an additional valve element in the lumen. A piston is disposed in communication with the driving member such that translational movement of the driving member along the annular aperture imparts rotational motion to the rotating disk, thereby effecting linear fluid flow through the piston and consequently through the cartridge.

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Darscheid, Germany

Theo Thoennes