Valve for Tankless Water Heater

Abstract

A valve assembly is provided having two valve sections, each having a tubular passageway portion and when joined together, defining a ball cavity in communication with the tubular passageways. One of the body sections is provided with an inlet/outlet in communication with the ball cavity as well as a spindle flange. An elongate spindle extends through the spindle flange projecting into the ball cavity region to rotate a spherical ball element between an open and a bypass position. The ball valve has a primary elongate passage which interconnects the two tubular passage portions in the valve body sections when the ball valve is in the open position. When the ball valve is rotated to the bypass position, the tubular passage portion of one of the ball body sections is sealed closed while the other tubular passage portion communicates with an internal bypass port within the ball valve which in turn, communicates with the auxiliary inlet/outlet. The preferred embodiment includes a pair of valve assemblies for use with a tankless hot water heater system.

1 . A valve assembly comprising:
 a valve body formed of at least two body sections with two body sections having an elongate tubular passageway portion which at least partially define a ball cavity therebetween communicating with two tubular passage portions, wherein one of the body sections defines an auxiliary inlet/outlet communicating with the ball cavity and further defining a tubular spindle flange communicating with the ball cavity;   an elongate spindle sealingly mounted within the spindle flange for limited rotation between an open position and a bypass position, the spindle having a first end extending toward the ball cavity and a second end external from the ball cavity;   a ball valve oriented within the ball cavity and cooperating with the elongate spindle to be rotated thereby between an open position and a bypass position, the ball valve having a primary elongate passageway which extends therethrough to interconnect the tubular passageway portions of the valve body sections when the ball valve is oriented in the open position, the ball valve having an internal bypass port aligned with one of the tubular passageway portions in a valve body section when the ball valve is oriented in the bypass position, internal bypass port serving to interconnect one of the tubular passage portions in a valve body section and the auxiliary inlet/outlet.   
     
     
         2 . The valve assembly of  claim 1  further comprising a pair of annular seals oriented at the intersection of the two tubular passage portions and the ball cavity to sealingly join the two body sections to the ball valve. 
     
     
         3 . The valve assembly of  claim 2  wherein the annular seals engage a peripheral surface of the ball valve extending about the primary elongate passageway therein when the ball valve is located in the open position forming a fluid tight connection between the two tubular passage portions in the valve body. 
     
     
         4 . The valve assembly of  claim 3  wherein the bypass port and the ball valve does not communicate with the primary elongate passage in the ball valve. 
     
     
         5 . The valve assembly of  claim 4  wherein one of the annular seals engages the ball valve peripheral surface extending sealingly about the bypass port where the ball valve is oriented in the bypass position and the other of the annular seals engages the ball valve peripheral surface to isolate the adjacent tubular passage portion of the ball cavity. 
     
     
         6 . The valve assembly of  claim 5  wherein the bypass port within the ball valve has a generally radial opening for cooperating with a tubular passage portion and an auxiliary opening for cooperating with the ball cavity and the auxiliary inlet/outlet which communicates therewith. 
     
     
         7 . The auxiliary valve of  claim 1  wherein one of the valve body sections is provided with a pressure relief port in communication with the tubular passage portion. 
     
     
         8 . The valve assembly of  claim 1  wherein the auxiliary inlet/outlet is provided with a removable cap. 
     
     
         9 . The valve assembly of  claim 1  further comprising a handle affixed to the spindle second end for rotation of the spindle and attached ball valve. 
     
     
         10 . The valve assembly of  claim 9  wherein the spindle and ball valve rotate about the spindle axis through approximately a 3 turn as the ball valve moves between the open and bypass position. 
     
     
         11 - 15 . (canceled)