Proportional control drive mechanism

Inventors: Christopher A. Carns (Hicksville, OH); Joseph D. Davis (Archbold, OH); Nathan C. Osmun (Edgerton, OH)

Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.

F16K31/002 F16K17/383 G05D23/022

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Quick Facts

Patent No.: US 12687236
App. No.: 18/769,840
Granted: Jul 21, 2026
Kind: B2

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Abstract

A thermostatic valve assembly having a valve body with a chamber, an inlet port, a first output port, and a second output port. The thermostatic assembly includes a wax element, a ball valve component with a drive pin, and a plunger with a drive opening to receive the drive pin. The drive opening has a partially flattened oval profile with a first flat section and curved ends, and a second curve connected to the first portion. The plunger is connected to the wax element, slideably secured within the chamber, and moves between a first and second linear position. The ball valve component is rotatably secured within the chamber and moves between a first rotational position when the plunger is in the first linear position and a second rotational position when the plunger is in the second linear position.

Claims (36)

1 . A thermostatic valve assembly comprising:

a valve body having a chamber; and

a thermostatic assembly comprising a wax element, a ball valve component having a drive pin, and a plunger having a drive opening that is configured to receive the drive pin,

wherein the drive opening defines a partially flattened oval profile with a first portion that defines a flat section with a curved turn at each end and a second portion that defines a curve that is connected at each of its ends to the first portion,

wherein the plunger is connected to the wax element and slideably secured within the chamber and configured to move between a first linear position and a second linear position, and

wherein the ball valve component is rotatably secured within the chamber and configured to move between a first rotational position when the plunger is in the first linear position and a second rotational position when the plunger is in the second linear position.

2 . The thermostatic valve assembly of claim 1 , wherein the curve of the second portion is a half-oval.

3 . The thermostatic valve assembly of claim 1 , wherein the curve of the second portion is a half-circle.

4 . The thermostatic valve assembly of claim 1 , wherein the partially flattened oval profile is symmetrical across an axis substantially parallel to the plunger.

5 . The thermostatic valve assembly of claim 4 , wherein the plunger is configured to move between the first linear position and the second linear position in a direction that is parallel to the vertical axis.

6 . The thermostatic valve assembly of claim 5 , wherein the drive pin has a circular cross-section.

7 . The thermostatic valve assembly of claim 1 , wherein the drive pin is received within the drive opening with a clearance fit that permits rotational movement of the ball valve component relative to the plunger.

8 . The thermostatic valve assembly of claim 1 , wherein the flat section of the first portion is configured to engage the drive pin to transmit rotational movement to the ball valve component during at least a portion of movement of the plunger between the first linear position and the second linear position.

9 . A thermostatic assembly for use in a thermostatic valve assembly having a chamber, the thermostatic assembly comprising:

a wax element;

a ball valve component having a drive pin; and

a plunger having a drive opening that is configured to receive the drive pin,

wherein the plunger is connected to the wax element and slideably secured within the chamber and configured to move between a first linear position and a second linear position, and

10 . The thermostatic valve assembly of claim 9 , wherein the curve of the second portion is a half-oval.

11 . The thermostatic valve assembly of claim 9 , wherein the curve of the second portion is a half-circle.

12 . The thermostatic valve assembly of claim 9 , wherein the partially flattened oval profile is symmetrical across an axis substantially parallel to the plunger.

13 . The thermostatic valve assembly of claim 12 , wherein the plunger is configured to move between a first linear position and a second linear position in a direction that is parallel to the vertical axis.

14 . The thermostatic valve assembly of claim 9 , wherein the drive pin has a circular cross-section.

15 . The plunger of claim 9 , wherein the drive pin has a circular cross-section.

16 . A plunger for use in a thermostatic assembly having a wax element and a ball valve component having a drive pin, the plunger comprising:

a neck portion; and

a body portion that defines a drive opening configured to receive the drive pin,

wherein the plunger is connected to the wax element and slideably secured and configured to move between a first linear position and a second linear position, and

wherein the plunger is configured to move the ball valve component between a first rotational position when the plunger is in the first linear position and a second rotational position when the plunger is in the second linear position.

17 . The plunger of claim 16 , wherein the curve of the second portion is a half-oval.

18 . The plunger of claim 16 , wherein the curve of the second portion is a half-circle.

19 . The plunger of claim 16 , wherein the partially flattened oval profile is symmetrical across an axis substantially parallel to the plunger.

20 . The plunger of claim 19 , wherein the plunger is configured to move between a first linear position and a second linear position in a direction that is parallel to the vertical axis.