Thermostatic mixing valve with disinfecting facility

Abstract

A thermostatic mixing valve including: a first fluid inlet; a second fluid inlet; an outlet; a thermostatic element connected to a return spring and a piston such that movement of the thermostatic element assists with moving the piston, movement of the piston controlling fluid flow from the first fluid inlet and the second fluid inlet to the outlet; a housing containing an overtravel spring, the overtravel spring configured to resist a force applied by the thermostatic element during movement thereof; and a plunger extending into the housing, the plunger configured to engage the overtravel spring, wherein rotating the plunger adjusts the resistance applied onto the thermostatic element from the overtravel spring.

1 . A thermostatic mixing valve including:
 a body comprising:
 a first fluid inlet; 
 a second fluid inlet; 
 an outlet; and 
   a thermostatic element connected to a return spring and a piston such that movement of the thermostatic element assists with moving the piston, movement of the piston controlling fluid flow from the first fluid inlet and the second fluid inlet to the outlet;   an intermediary body connected to the body, the intermediary body being connected to a housing containing an overtravel spring, the overtravel spring configured to resist a force applied by the thermostatic element during movement thereof; and   a plunger extending into the housing, the plunger configured to apply a force on the overtravel spring, the plunger configured to   adjust the resistance applied onto the thermostatic element from the overtravel spring upon the plunger being rotated, thereby allowing the return spring to overcome the overtravel spring, despite the thermostatic element being subjected to a higher temperature, or allow the thermostatic element to extend without engaging the plunger, such that hot water flows through the thermostatic mixing valve for thermally disinfecting the valve.   
     
     
         2 . The thermostatic mixing valve of  claim 1 , wherein in response to rotating the plunger in a first direction, a first portion of the plunger moves towards the thermostatic element. 
     
     
         3 . The thermostatic mixing valve of  claim 2 , wherein in response to rotating the plunger in a second direction, the first portion of the plunger moves away from the thermostatic element. 
     
     
         4 . The thermostatic mixing valve of  claim 2 , wherein the first portion of the plunger is configured to move from a first position to a second position where substantially no resistance is applied onto the thermostatic element from the overtravel spring. 
     
     
         5 . The thermostatic mixing valve of  claim 4 , wherein a visual indicator is visible on the plunger in the second position. 
     
     
         6 . The thermostatic mixing valve of  claim 4 , wherein the plunger includes a second portion that is threadingly coupled to the first portion. 
     
     
         7 . The thermostatic mixing valve of  claim 6 , wherein in the second position, the thermostatic element is able to move through an aperture of the second portion. 
     
     
         8 . The thermostatic mixing valve of  claim 1 , wherein the housing is threadingly connected to an intermediary body. 
     
     
         9 . The thermostatic mixing valve of  claim 1 , wherein a first body in the form of a knob covers the housing and the plunger. 
     
     
         10 . The thermostatic mixing valve of  claim 9 , wherein the plunger is connected to the first body such that the first body may be turned to rotate the plunger. 
     
     
         11 . A thermostatic mixing valve including:
 a body comprising:
 a first fluid inlet; 
 a second fluid inlet; 
 an outlet; and 
 a thermostatic element connected to a return spring and a piston such that movement of the thermostatic element assists with moving the piston, movement of the piston controlling fluid flow from the first fluid inlet and the second fluid inlet to the outlet; 
   an intermediary body connected to the body, the intermediary body being connected to a housing containing an overtravel spring, the overtravel spring configured to receive a force from the thermostatic element,   a plunger extending into the housing, the plunger configured to apply a force on the overtravel spring,   wherein the plunger is connected to a first body such that when the first body is moved away from the housing, the force on the overtravel spring is decreased, thereby allowing the return spring to overcome the overtravel spring, despite the thermostatic element being subjected to a higher temperature, or allow the thermostatic element to extend without engaging the plunger, such that hot water flows through the thermostatic mixing valve for thermally disinfecting the valve.   
     
     
         12 . The thermostatic mixing valve of  claim 11 , wherein the first body covers the housing. 
     
     
         13 . The thermostatic mixing valve of  claim 11 , wherein the plunger threadingly engages the housing. 
     
     
         14 . The thermostatic mixing valve of  claim 11 , wherein the thermostatic mixing valve includes a visual indicator that is exposed as the first body moves away from the housing. 
     
     
         15 . A method of elevating a temperature in a thermostatic mixing valve to thermally disinfect the valve, the method including the steps of:
 providing fluid to a first fluid inlet of a body of the thermostatic mixing valve;   rotating a plunger extending into a housing in order to reduce the resistance applied by an overtravel spring onto a thermostatic element, the thermostatic element being connected to a piston and the housing being connected to an intermediary body that is attached to the body; and   the reduced resistance on the thermostatic element allowing the piston to move in a direction that maintains the flow of fluid through the first fluid inlet, to thermally disinfect the valve.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the step of rotating the plunger extending into the housing in order to reduce the resistance applied by the overtravel spring onto the thermostatic element includes engaging a tool with an upper portion of the plunger. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the step of rotating the plunger extending into the housing in order to reduce the resistance applied by the overtravel spring onto the thermostatic element includes rotating a knob covering the housing. 
     
     
         18 . (canceled) 
     
     
         19 . (canceled) 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the fluid is above approximately 60° C.