Thermally actuated phase change operated control valve for use in an

Abstract

A thermally actuated phase change operated control valve has, a valve body with a bore therethrough the walls of which define a valve chamber, the valve body has a manifold assembly about the valve body and a medially disposed first port means in the valve body connects the valve chamber with the manifold assembly. Spaced second and third port means in the valve body respectively disposed on opposite sides of said first port means permit valve head means slidably disposed in said valve chamber for movement relative said first port means to direct fluid either from the valve chamber to one or the other of said second and third port means or vice versa depending on whether the control valve is operated as a diverter valve or as a mixing valve or if desired one of the spaced second or third port means can be rendered inoperative and the control valve can be operated as a thermal check valve. The valve head means is moved to and fro in the longitudinal axis of the valve chamber by a phase change power element also mounted in the valve chamber which is responsive to variations in temperature of the fluid flowing therethrough. The valve head is fixedly connected and movable with the phase change power element so that delivery of fluid to or from one or the other or both of the spaced second and third port means is accomplished as a function of the variations in temperature of the fluid passing through the valve chamber.