Serviceable Temperature Protection System for Faucet and Method of Using Same

Abstract

A temperature protection system includes a thermostatic mixing valve (TMV) and a check valve assembly. The TMV is operably coupled to provide temperature controlled water to a faucet. The check valve assembly is coupled between the TMV and a source of water. The check valve assembly has a check valve body, a check valve element, and a ball valve. The check valve body has a check valve receiving tube, a water inlet tube and an outlet tube. The water inlet tube defines a water inlet to the check valve body, and the outlet tube forms a water outlet to the check valve body. The check valve element is disposed within the check valve receiving tube and interposed at least in part between the outlet tube and the water inlet. The ball valve disposed in the inlet tube between the check valve element and the water inlet.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A temperature protection system comprising:
 a thermostatic mixing valve (TMV) operably coupled to provide temperature controlled water to a faucet;   a check valve assembly coupled between the TMV and a source of water, the check valve assembly including a check valve body, a check valve element, and a ball valve, the check valve body having a check valve receiving tube, a water inlet tube and an outlet tube, the water inlet tube defining a water inlet of the check valve body, and the outlet tube forming a water outlet of the check valve body, the check valve element disposed within the check valve receiving tube and interposed at least in part between the outlet tube and the water inlet, the shut-off valve disposed in the inlet tube between the check valve element and the water inlet.   
     
     
         2 . The temperature protection system of  claim 1 , wherein the shut-off valve comprises a ball valve rotatable about an axis between an open position and a closed position, the open position allowing fluid flow between the water inlet tube and the check valve element, and the closed position substantially preventing fluid flow between the water inlet tube and the check valve element. 
     
     
         3 . The temperature protection system of  claim 2 , wherein the ball valve further comprises an actuator stem rotatable about the axis, the actuator stem extending at least partially through an opening in the check valve body, wherein the actuator stem is configured to rotate the ball valve between the open position and the closed position. 
     
     
         4 . The temperature protection system of  claim 3 , wherein the actuator stem includes an end having a tool interface. 
     
     
         5 . The temperature protection system of  claim 4 , wherein the tool interface includes a receptacle for a rotatable tool bit. 
     
     
         6 . The temperature protection system of  claim 5 , wherein the check valve body further includes a first indicator configured to align with a feature of the receptacle when the ball valve is in the closed position, and a second indicator configured to align with the feature of the receptacle when the valve is in the open position. 
     
     
         7 . The temperature protection system of  claim 1 , further comprising a rotatably insertable bushing coupled to the check valve body within the water inlet tube, the rotatably insertable bushing forming at least part of a valve seat for the check valve. 
     
     
         8 . The temperature protection system of  claim 1 , wherein the check valve element further comprises a check valve housing having an inlet and an outlet, a moveable closure, and a spring operably coupled between the check valve housing and the movable closure to urge the moveable closure toward a closed position to decrease water flow from the inlet to the outlet. 
     
     
         9 . The temperature protection system of  claim 8 , wherein the check valve body includes a linear passage including the water inlet tube and the check valve receiving tube, and wherein the outlet tube extends in a direction perpendicular to the linear passage. 
     
     
         10 . The temperature protection system of  claim 9 , wherein:
 the check valve receiving tube has a first end defining a first end of the linear passage, and the water inlet tube has a first end defining the second end of the linear passage,   the check valve body defines a linear tube extending in the direction of and surrounding the linear passage, and   the outlet tube extends from the linear tube in a direction perpendicular to the linear passage.   
     
     
         11 . The temperature protection system of  claim 10 , wherein the check valve body is integrally formed. 
     
     
         12 . A check valve assembly, comprising:
 a check valve body having a water inlet tube, a check valve receiving tube, a water inlet, and a water outlet;   a check valve element, and;   a shut-off valve;   wherein the water inlet tube defines a water inlet of the check valve body, and the outlet tube forms a water outlet of the check valve body, the check valve element is disposed within the check valve receiving tube and is interposed at least in part between the outlet tube and the water inlet, and the shut-off valve is disposed in the inlet tube between the check valve element and the water inlet.   
     
     
         13 . The temperature protection system of  claim 12 , wherein the shut-off valve is rotatable about an axis between an open position and a closed position, the open position allowing fluid flow between the water inlet tube and the check valve element, and the closed position substantially preventing fluid flow between the water inlet tube and the check valve element. 
     
     
         14 . The temperature protection system of  claim 13 , wherein the shut-off valve further comprises an actuator stem rotatable about the axis, the actuator stem extending at least partially through an opening in the check valve body, wherein the actuator stem is configured to rotate the shut-off valve between the open position and the closed position. 
     
     
         15 . The temperature protection system of  claim 14 , wherein the actuator stem includes an end having a tool interface. 
     
     
         16 . The temperature protection system of  claim 15 , wherein the tool interface includes a receptacle for a rotatable tool bit. 
     
     
         17 . The temperature protection system of  claim 15 , wherein the check valve body further includes a first indicator configured to align with a feature of the receptacle when the shut-off valve is in the closed position, and a second indicator configured to align with the feature of the receptacle when the valve is in the open position. 
     
     
         18 . The temperature protection system of  claim 15 , wherein the shut-off valve comprises a ball valve. 
     
     
         19 . The temperature protection system of  claim 12 , further comprising a rotatably insertable bushing coupled to the check valve body within the water inlet tube, the rotatably insertable bushing forming at least part of a valve seat for the check valve.