Thermal actuator
US6046666A · kind A · utility
Assignees
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 17, 1998 |
| Grant date | Apr 4, 2000 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 17, 2018 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG05D23/1921
- WIPO fieldControl
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A known thermal actuator includes a capsule, which contains a diaphragm controlling the position of a stem. A thermal expansion substance like wax is contained in the capsule which operates as a thermostat in a thermostatically controlled valve such as a thermostatically controlled mixing valve. The stem of the actuator is connected with a valve body movable between two valve seats for a hot and cold medium, respectively, and the capsule is placed in the area of the mixed medium for transmitting the heat of the mixed medium to the thermal expansion substance. In order to present a simple and more effective actuator that can react promptly at changes of temperature and which does not require an extra temperature sensor, the capsule includes an oblong cuplike sensor body, the surface of which is at least partly deformed in such a way that its thermal transmittance area is increased.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.