AU2020242477B2 - A bypass assembly for a mixing valve - Google Patents

Abstract

A bypass assembly (100) for a mixing valve (200), the bypass assembly (100) comprising a bypass valve (102) having a first bypass inlet (104) configured to be coupled in fluid communication with a first valve inlet (202) of the mixing valve (200); a bypass outlet (108) configured to be coupled in fluid communication with a valve outlet (206) of the mixing valve (200); a closed configuration in which the first bypass inlet (104) is closed; and an open configuration in which the first bypass inlet (104) is open. In response to a pressure of fluid in a second valve inlet (204) of the mixing valve (200) being above a threshold value, the bypass valve (102) is retained in the closed configuration, thereby restricting fluid flow from the first valve inlet (202) through the first bypass inlet (104). In response to the pressure of the fluid in the second valve inlet (204) of the mixing valve (200) dropping below the threshold value, the bypass valve (102) changes from the closed configuration to the open configuration such that fluid in the first valve inlet (202) flows from the first valve inlet (202), through the first bypass inlet (104), and out of the bypass outlet (108).

Description

PCT/AU2020/050269 11

A BYPASS ASSEMBLY FOR A MIXING VALVE RELATED RELATED APPLICATION APPLICATION

[001] This application is based on and claims priority to Australian provisional patent

application No 2019900930 filed on 20 March 2019, the content of which is incorporated by

reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[002] The invention relates to a bypass assembly for a mixing valve. In particular, the

invention relates, but is not limited, to a bypass assembly for a thermostatic mixing valve.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

[003] A thermostatic mixing valve (TMV) is a valve associated with blending hot water with

cold water to achieve a substantially constant temperature. Typically, when there is no

supply of hot water or cold water to TMVs, the TMVs are configured to isolate their output

such that no water is discharged from the thermostatic mixing valve. This safety mechanism

is useful when a thermostatic mixing valve is supplied with hot water but not cold water to

prevent hot water from being discharged from the TMV, which could scald and injure a

person.

[004] However, when a TMV is supplied with cold water but not hot water, the TMV will still

prevent any water from being discharged from the TMV. This may be problematic where at

least a supply of cold water from the thermostatic mixing valve would be beneficial in an

emergency such as, for example, the actuation of drench showers, eyewash, eye/face wash,

portable eyewash units, and combination eyewash and drench shower units.

[005] The present inventors have developed a bypass assembly for a mixing valve to allow

the supply of cold water when there is no supply of hot water to a mixing valve.

[006] Any discussion of documents, acts, materials, devices, articles or the like which has

been included in the present specification is solely for the purpose of providing a context for

the present invention. It is not to be taken as an admission that any or all of these matters

form part of the prior art base or were common general knowledge in the field relevant to the

present invention as it existed before the priority date of each claim of this specification.

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SUMMARY OF INVENTION

[007] In a first aspect, the present invention provides a bypass assembly for a mixing valve,

the bypass assembly comprising:

a bypass valve having:

a first bypass inlet configured to be coupled in fluid communication to a first

valve inlet of a mixing valve;

a bypass outlet configured to be coupled in fluid communication to a valve

outlet of the mixing valve;

a closed configuration in which the first bypass inlet is closed; and

an open configuration in which the first bypass inlet is open,

wherein:

in response to a pressure of fluid in a second valve inlet of the mixing

valve being above a threshold value, the bypass valve is retained in the

closed configuration, thereby restricting fluid flow from the first valve inlet

through the first bypass inlet; and

in response to the pressure of the fluid in the second valve inlet of the

mixing valve dropping below the threshold value, the bypass valve changes

from the closed configuration to the open configuration such that fluid in the

first valve inlet flows from the first valve inlet, through the first bypass inlet,

and out of the bypass outlet.

[008] In a second aspect, the present invention provides a fluid mixing assembly

comprising:

a bypass assembly of the first aspect; and

a mixing valve having a first valve inlet coupled in fluid communication with the first

bypass inlet, a second valve inlet, and a valve outlet coupled in fluid communication with the

bypass outlet.

[009] In a third aspect, the present invention provides a fluid mixing assembly comprising:

a thermostatic mixing valve having a first valve inlet, a second valve inlet, and a valve

outlet; and

a bypass assembly having a bypass valve, the bypass valve having:

a first bypass inlet in fluid communication with the first valve inlet;

a bypass outlet in fluid communication with the valve outlet;

a closed configuration in which the first bypass inlet is closed; and

an open configuration in which the first bypass inlet is open,

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wherein:

in response to a pressure of fluid in the second valve inlet of the mixing

valve being above a threshold value, the bypass valve is retained in the

closed configuration, thereby restricting fluid flow from the first valve inlet

through the first bypass inlet; and

in response to the pressure of the fluid in the second valve inlet

dropping below the threshold value, the bypass valve changes from the closed

configuration to the open configuration such that fluid in the first valve inlet

flows from the first valve inlet, through the first bypass inlet, and out of the

bypass outlet.In outlet. Inan anembodiment, embodiment,the thebypass bypassvalve valvehas hasa asecond secondbypass bypassinlet inlet

in fluid communication with the second valve inlet, and a portion of the fluid in

the second valve inlet flows to the second bypass inlet to bias the bypass

valve towards the closed configuration.

[010] In an embodiment, the bypass valve has a piston, the piston being in a first position in

response to the bypass valve being in the closed configuration and a second position in

response to the bypass valve being in the open configuration, the piston closing the first

bypass inlet in the first position and opening the first bypass inlet in the second position.

[011] In an embodiment, the bypass valve has a biasing means to bias the piston towards

the first position.

[012] In an embodiment, the biasing means is a spring.

[013] In an embodiment, the second valve inlet is coupled in fluid communication to the

second bypass inlet by a first fluid line.

[014] In an embodiment, the bypass outlet is coupled in fluid communication to the valve

outlet by a second fluid line.

[015] In an embodiment, the first bypass inlet is coupled to the first valve inlet.

[016] In an embodiment, a one-way valve is disposed in the bypass outlet that permits fluid

flow out of the bypass outlet but restricts fluid flow into the bypass outlet.

[017] In an embodiment, in response to the bypass valve being in the open configuration,

the fluid in the first valve inlet flows from the first valve inlet, through the first bypass inlet,

through the bypass outlet, and out of the valve outlet.

[018] In an embodiment, the mixing valve is a thermostatic mixing valve.

[019] In an embodiment, the fluid in the first valve inlet is cold water and the fluid in the

second valve inlet is hot water.

[020] Further features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from

the following detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[021] Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of

examples only, with reference to the accompanying figures, in which:

Figure 1 is a front view of a bypass assembly according to an embodiment of the

present invention coupled to a mixing valve;

Figure 2 is a section view of the bypass valve of the bypass assembly of Figure 1 in

the closed configuration;

Figure 3 shows how the bypass assembly of Figure 1 operates when hot and cold

water are supplied to the mixing valve;

Figure 4 shows how the bypass assembly of Figure 1 operates when hot water is is

supplied to the mixing valve and cold water is not supplied to the mixing valve; and

Figure 5 shows how the bypass assembly of Figure 1 operates when cold water is

supplied to the mixing valve and hot water is not supplied to the mixing valve.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[022] Figure 1 shows a bypass assembly 100 according to an embodiment of the present

invention coupled to a thermostatic mixing valve 200. The bypass assembly 100 has a

bypass valve 102 having a first bypass inlet 104, a second bypass inlet 106, and a bypass

outlet 108. The thermostatic mixing valve 200 has a first valve inlet in the form of a cold valve

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inlet 202, a second valve inlet in the form of a hot valve inlet 204, and a valve outlet 206. The

cold valve inlet 202 is configured to be connected to a first (cold) fluid source and the hot

valve inlet 204 is configured to be connected to a second (hot) fluid source.

[023] The first bypass inlet 104 is coupled in fluid communication to the cold valve inlet 202.

The bypass assembly 100 has a first fluid line 110 coupling the second bypass inlet 106 in

fluid communication with the hot valve inlet 204 and a second fluid line 112 coupling the

bypass outlet bypass outlet108 in in 108 fluid communication fluid with the communication valve with theoutlet valve 206. outlet 206.

[024] Referring to Figure 2, the bypass valve 102 has a seat 114 and a piston 116 having a

first head 118 and a second head 120. The piston 116 is movable within the bypass valve

102 such that the bypass valve 102 has a closed configuration (see Figures 2 to 4) and an

open configuration (see Figure 5).

[025] In response to the bypass valve 102 being in the closed configuration, the piston 116

is in a closed position in which the first head 118 of the piston 116 abuts the seat 114,

thereby closing the first bypass inlet 104 such that fluid is restricted/prevented from flowing

through the first bypass inlet 104. When the bypass valve 102 is in the closed configuration,

the first bypass inlet 104 is not in fluid communication with the bypass outlet 108.

[026] In response to the bypass valve 102 being in the open configuration, the piston 116 is

in an open position in which the first head 118 of the piston 116 is separated from the seat

114 such that the first bypass inlet 104 is open and fluid can flow through the first bypass

inlet 104. When the bypass valve 102 is in the open configuration, the first bypass inlet 104 is

in fluid communication with the bypass outlet 108.

[027] As best seen in Figure 2, when the bypass valve 102 is in either of the closed and

open configurations, the second bypass inlet 106 is isolated from the bypass outlet 108. The

second head 120 of the piston 116 is configured such that fluid flow past the second head

120 is restricted/prevented.

[028] Disposed within the second bypass inlet 106 is a biasing means in the form of a

compression spring 122. One end of the compression spring 122 abuts an inner surface of

the second bypass inlet 106 and the other end of the compression spring 122 abuts the

second head 120 of the piston 116, thereby biasing the piston 116 towards the closed

position. It will be appreciated that other suitable biasing means known in the art may be

used to bias the piston 116 towards the closed position. It will also be appreciated that the

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compression spring 122 may be replaced with a tension spring that is disposed in the first

bypass inlet 104 and is coupled to the first bypass inlet 104 and first head 118 of the piston

116 to bias the piston 116 towards the closed position.

[029] Disposed within the bypass outlet 108 is a one-way valve 124 that permits fluid flow

through the bypass outlet 108 in a direction generally indicated by arrow 10 but

restricts/prevents fluid flow through the bypass outlet 108 in the opposite direction. The one-

way valve 124 may be a check-valve or any other suitable one-way valves known in the art.

[030] Referring to Figure 1, the thermostatic mixing valve 200 has an adjusting member in

the form of a mixing knob 208 that allows a user to set the temperature of the mixed water

flowing out of the valve outlet 206. The cold valve inlet 202 has an isolator 210 and the hot

valve inlet 204 has an isolator 212. The isolators 210, 212 are movable between open and

closed positions. In the open position, the isolators 210, 212 permit fluid flow into the cold

valve inlet 202 and the hot valve inlet 204, respectively. In the closed position, the isolators

210, 212 restrict/prevent fluid flow into the cold valve inlet 202 and the hot valve inlet 204,

respectively.

[031] Operation and use of the bypass assembly 100 coupled to the thermostatic mixing

valve 200 will now be described with reference to Figures 3 to 5. The thermostatic mixing

valve 200 is configured to isolate the valve outlet 206 from the cold valve inlet 202 and the

hot valve inlet 204 when there is no supply of cold water 12 or hot water 14 to the

thermostatic mixing valve 200.

[032] A supply of cold water 12 is coupled in fluid communication to the cold valve inlet 202

and a supply of hot water 14 is coupled in fluid communication to the hot valve inlet 204. The

mixing knob 208 is set by a user so that the mixed water 16 flowing out of the valve outlet

206 is at a desired temperature. The isolators 210, 212 are moved to the open position so

that cold water 12 and hot water 14 can flow into the cold valve inlet 202 and the hot valve

inlet 204, respectively.

[033] Referring to Figure 3, which illustrates normal operating conditions, cold water 12

flows into the thermostatic mixing valve 200 through the cold valve inlet 202 and hot water 14

flows into the thermostatic mixing valve 200 through the hot valve inlet 204. The cold water

12 and the hot water 14 mix together in the thermostatic mixing valve 200 to form mixed

water 16 having the desired temperature set by the user via the mixing knob 208. The mixed

water 16 flows out of the thermostatic mixing valve 200 through the valve outlet 206.

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[034] A portion of the hot water 14 flows from the hot valve inlet 204 through the first fluid

line 110 and the second bypass inlet 106 to the second head 120 of the piston 116. As

discussed above, the hot water 14 cannot flow past the second head 120 of the piston 116

and, therefore, the hot water 14 exerts a force on the piston 116 in a direction generally

indicated by arrow 18, thereby biasing the piston 116 towards the closed position.

Accordingly, the compression spring 122 together with the force exerted on the piston 116 by

the hot water 14 bias the piston 116 towards the closed position. The greater the pressure of

the hot water 14, the greater the force exerted on the piston 116 in the general direction of

arrow 18.

[035] The cold water 12 flowing in the first valve inlet 104 exerts a force on the first head

118 of the piston 116 in the direction generally indicated by arrow 20. The greater the

pressure of the cold water 12, the greater the force exerted on the piston 116 in the general

direction of arrow 20.

[036] In the operation illustrated in Figure 3, the force exerted on the piston 116 by the hot

water 14 and the compression spring 122 is greater than the force exerted on the piston 116

by the cold water 12. Accordingly, the force exerted on the piston 116 by the hot water 14

and the compression spring 122 retains the piston 116 in the closed position such that the

cold water 12 does not flow into the bypass valve 102 through the first bypass inlet 104.

[037] Referring to Figure 4, there is a normal supply of hot water 14 to the hot valve inlet

204 but little to no supply of cold water 12 to the cold valve inlet 202 and, therefore, the

thermostatic mixing valve 200 has isolated the valve outlet 206 from the cold valve inlet 202

and and the thehot hotvalve inlet valve 204.204. inlet Accordingly, the hot Accordingly, water the hot14water does not flow through 14 does not flowthethrough the

thermostatic mixing valve 200 and out of the valve outlet 206, which could potentially cause

harm.

[038] Similar to that described above with respect to Figure 3, during the operation

illustrated in Figure 4, the force exerted on the piston 116 by the compression spring 122 and

the hot water 14 retains the piston 116 in the closed position. As hot water 14 cannot flow

past the second head 120 of the piston 116, hot water 14 cannot flow through the bypass

valve 102, the bypass outlet 108, the second fluid line 112, and out of the valve outlet 206.

[039] Referring to Figure 5, there is a normal supply of cold water 12 to the cold valve inlet

202 but little to no supply of hot water 14 to the hot valve inlet 204 and, therefore, the

thermostatic mixing valve 200 has isolated the valve outlet 206 from the cold valve inlet 202

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and the hot valve inlet 204. Accordingly, the cold water 12 does not flow through the

thermostatic mixing valve 200 and out of the valve outlet 206.

[040] As there is little to no supply of hot water 14 to the hot valve inlet 204, there is little, if

any, hot water 14 exerting a force on the piston 116 in the direction generally indicated by

arrow 18. Accordingly, only the compression spring 122 biases the piston 116 towards the

closed position. The force exerted on the piston 116 in the general direction of arrow 20 by

the pressure of the cold water 12 is greater than the force exerted on the piston 116 in the

general direction of arrow 18 by the compression spring 122 and, therefore, the piston 116

moves from the closed position to the open position in a direction generally indicated by

arrow 22 (see Figure 2). When the piston 116 is in the open position, cold water 12 flows

from the cold valve inlet 202 into the bypass valve 102 through the first bypass inlet 104, out

of the bypass valve 102 through the bypass outlet 108, through the second fluid line 112, and

out of the valve outlet 206.

[041] When there is a normal supply of hot water 14 to the hot valve inlet 204 again, the

piston 116 will move to the closed position in a direction opposite to arrow 22 (see Figure 2)

and the bypass assembly 100 and the thermostatic mixing valve 200 will operate as

described above with respect to Figure 3.

[042] Accordingly, when the bypass assembly 100 is used with the thermostatic mixing

valve 200 and there is little to no supply of hot water to the thermostatic mixing valve 200, the

bypass assembly 100 allows for the discharge of cold water by bypassing the thermostatic

mixing valve 200. This may be beneficial when at least a supply of cold water may be

needed such as, for example, with drench showers, eye wash units, and the like. Further,

when there is little to no supply of cold water to the thermostatic mixing valve 200, there is

little to no hot water discharged, which may avoid a person being scalded and injured.

[043] According to an alternative embodiment, the bypass valve 102 may be an electronic

valve having open and closed configurations similar to that described above. An electronic

actuator moves the electronic valve between the open and closed configurations. In this

embodiment, the bypass valve does not have a second bypass inlet or a compression spring

and, therefore, there is no first fluid line coupling the second valve inlet in fluid

communication to the second bypass inlet. In this embodiment, there is a pressure sensor

configured to monitor the pressure of the hot water 14 flowing in the hot valve inlet 204.

When the pressure of the hot water 14 in the hot valve inlet 204 is above a threshold value,

the electronic actuator is configured to maintain the bypass valve in the closed configuration

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such that such thatcold coldwater does water not not does flow flow into into the bypass valve through the bypass valve the first the through bypass inlet. first When inlet. When bypass

the pressure of the hot water 14 in the hot valve inlet 204 drops below the threshold value,

the electronic actuator is configured to change the bypass valve to the open configuration so

that cold water flows from the cold valve inlet 202 into the bypass valve through the first

bypass inlet, out of the bypass valve through the bypass outlet, through the second fluid line

112, and out of the valve outlet 206.

[044] Although the above embodiment has been described using a pressure sensor to

measure the pressure of the hot water 14 in the hot valve inlet 204, it is also envisaged that

other suitable sensors known in the art may be used. For example, the pressure sensor

could be replaced with a temperature sensor to monitor the temperature in the hot valve inlet

204. When the temperature is above a threshold value, this indicates that hot water 14 is

flowing in the hot valve inlet 204 and, in this case, the electronic actuator is configured to

maintain the bypass valve in the closed configuration. When the temperature is below a

threshold value, this indicates that the flow of hot water 14 in the hot valve inlet 204 has been

reduced/stopped and, in this case, the electronic actuator is configured to change the bypass

valve to the open configuration.

[045] In another example, the pressure sensor could be replaced with a flow rate sensor to

monitor the flow rate of hot water 14 in the hot valve inlet 204. When the flow rate is above a

threshold value, this indicates that hot water 14 is flowing in the hot valve inlet 204 and, in

this case, the electronic actuator is configured to maintain the bypass valve in the closed

configuration. When the flow rate is below a threshold value, this indicates that the flow rate

of hot water 14 in the hot valve inlet 204 has been reduced/stopped and, in this case, the

electronic actuator is configured to change the bypass valve to the open configuration.

[046] Although the bypass assembly 100 has been described and illustrated for use with a

thermostatic mixing valve, it will be appreciated that the bypass assembly 100 may be used

with other suitable mixing valves known in the art.

[047] It will also be appreciated that the bypass assembly 100 is not limited to use with hot

and cold water and may be used with other combinations of fluids, which are required to be

supplied at a constant temperature.

[048] In this specification, adjectives such as left and right, top and bottom, hot and cold,

first and second, and the like may be used to distinguish one element or action from another

element or action without necessarily requiring or implying any actual such relationship or

WO wo 2020/186312 PCT/AU2020/050269 10

order. Where context permits, reference to a component, an integer or step (or the alike) is

not to be construed as being limited to only one of that component, integer, or step, but

rather could be one or more of that component, integer or step.

[049] Throughout this specification, unless the context clearly requires otherwise, the word

"comprise", "comprise", oror variations variations suchsuch as "comprises" as "comprises" or "comprising", or "comprising", will be understood will be understood to imply theto imply the

inclusion of a stated element, integer or step, or group of elements, integers or steps, but not

the exclusion of any other element, integer or step, or group of elements, integers or steps.

[050] Although the invention has been described with reference to a preferred embodiment,

it will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that the invention may be embodied in

many other forms. It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that numerous

variations and/or modifications may be made to the technology as shown in the specific

embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of technology as broadly described.

The present embodiments are, therefore, to be considered in all respects as illustrative and

not restrictive.

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Claims: Claims:

1. 1. A bypass A bypassassembly assemblyforfor a a mixing mixing valve,the valve, thebypass bypass assembly assembly comprising: comprising:

a a bypass valvehaving: bypass valve having: a first bypass a first inletconfigured bypass inlet configuredto to be be coupled coupled in fluid in fluid communication communication to a first to a first

valveinlet valve inlet of of aa mixing mixingvalve; valve; a a bypass outlet configured bypass outlet configured to to be coupledin be coupled in fluid fluid communication toaa valve communication to valve 2020242477

outlet of the outlet of the mixing mixingvalve; valve; a closedconfiguration a closed configuration in which in which the first the first bypass bypass inlet inlet is closed; is closed; and and an open an open configuration configuration in which in which the first the first bypass bypass inlet inlet is is open, open,

wherein: wherein:

in in response response to to a pressure a pressure of fluid of fluid in ainsecond a second valve valve inlet inlet of the of the mixing mixing

valve valve being abovea athreshold being above thresholdvalue, value,the thebypass bypassvalve valveisisretained retainedin in the the closed configuration, closed configuration, thereby thereby restricting restricting fluidfluid flowflow from from the first the first valvevalve inlet inlet

throughthe through the firstbypass first bypass inlet; inlet; andand

in in response response to to the the pressure pressure of fluid of the the fluid in the in the second second valveofinlet valve inlet the of the

mixing valve dropping mixing valve droppingbelow belowthe thethreshold thresholdvalue, value,the thebypass bypassvalve valvechanges changes fromthe from theclosed closed configuration configuration to open to the the open configuration configuration such such that fluidthat fluid in the in the first valve first valve inlet inlet flows fromthe flows from thefirst first valve valveinlet, inlet, through throughthethe firstbypass first bypass inlet, inlet,

and outofofthe and out thebypass bypass outlet. outlet.

2. 2. Thebypass The bypassassembly assembly of of claim claim 1, 1, wherein wherein thethe bypass bypass valve valve has has a second a second bypass bypass inlet inlet

in in fluid fluid communication communication withwith the the second second valve and valve inlet, inlet, and a portion a portion of the of the fluid in fluid in the second the second

valve inlet valve inlet flows flowstotothe second the second bypass inlet totobias bypass inlet biasthe bypass the bypassvalve valvetowards towards the the closed closed

configuration. configuration.

3. 3. Thebypass The bypassassembly assembly of of claim claim 1 or 1 or 2,2, wherein wherein the the bypass bypass valve valve hashas a piston, a piston, thethe

piston beinginina afirst piston being firstposition positionininresponse response to the to the bypass bypass valveinbeing valve being in the closed the closed

configuration configuration and and aa second secondposition positionin in response responsetotothe the bypass bypassvalve valvebeing beingininthe theopen open configuration, thepiston configuration, the piston closing closing the the first first bypass bypass inletinlet in first in the the first position position and opening and opening the first the first

bypass inletininthe bypass inlet thesecond second position. position.

4. 4. Thebypass The bypassassembly assembly of of claim claim 3, 3, wherein wherein thethe bypass bypass valve valve has has a biasing a biasing means means to to bias thepiston bias the pistontowards towards the the first first position. position.

5. 5. Thebypass The bypassassembly assembly of of anyany oneone of claims of claims 2 to 2 to 4, 4, wherein wherein thethe second second valve valve inlet inlet is is

coupled coupled inin fluidcommunication fluid communicationto thetosecond the second bypass bypass inlet by ainlet firstby a first fluid fluid line. line.

12 12 Jun 2025 2020242477 12 Jun 2025

6. 6. Thebypass The bypassassembly assembly of of anyany oneone of claims of claims 1 to 1 to 5, 5, wherein, wherein, in in response response to to thethe bypass bypass

valvebeing valve beingininthethe open open configuration, configuration, the fluid the fluid infirst in the the first valvevalve inletinlet flowsflows from from the the valve first first valve inlet, inlet, through thefirst through the first bypass bypass inlet,through inlet, throughthethe bypass bypass outlet, outlet, and and out of out the of theoutlet. valve valve outlet.

7. 7. Thebypass The bypassassembly assembly of of anyany oneone of claims of claims 1 to 1 to 6, 6, wherein wherein a one-way a one-way valve valve is is disposed disposed in in the the bypass bypass outlet outlet that that permits permits fluid fluid flowofout flow out the of the bypass bypass outlet outlet but but restricts restricts fluid fluid 2020242477

flow into flow into the thebypass bypass outlet. outlet.

8. 8. Thebypass The bypassassembly assembly of of anyany oneone of claims of claims 1 to 1 to 7, 7, wherein wherein thethe mixing mixing valve valve is is a a thermostatic mixing thermostatic mixing valve. valve.

9. 9. Thebypass The bypass assembly assembly of any of any one of one of1claims claims 1 to 8,the to 8, wherein wherein the fluid in thefluid invalve first the first valve inlet inlet is is cold cold water andthethe water and fluidininthe fluid thesecond second valve valve inletinlet is water. is hot hot water.

10. 10. A fluid A fluid mixing mixing assembly assembly comprising: comprising:

a a bypass assembly bypass assembly of of any any one one of of claims claims 1 to9;9;and 1 to and a mixingvalve a mixing valve having having a first a first valve valve inlet inlet coupled coupled in fluid in fluid communication communication with the with first the first

bypass inlet,a asecond bypass inlet, second valve valve inlet, inlet, and and a valve a valve outletoutlet coupled coupled in fluidin fluid communication communication with the with the bypass outlet. bypass outlet.

11. 11. A fluid A fluid mixing mixing assembly assembly comprising: comprising:

a thermostatic a thermostatic mixing mixing valve valve having having a first a first valvevalve inlet,inlet, a second a second valveand valve inlet, inlet, and a valve a valve

outlet; outlet; and and

a a bypass assembly bypass assembly having having a bypass a bypass valve, valve, thethe bypass bypass valve valve having: having:

a first bypass a first inletin bypass inlet in fluid fluid communication communication with with the first the first valvevalve inlet; inlet;

a bypass a bypass outlet outlet in in fluidcommunication fluid communication with with the theoutlet; valve valve outlet; a closedconfiguration a closed configuration in which in which the first the first bypass bypass inlet inlet is closed; is closed; and and an open an open configuration configuration in which in which the first the first bypass bypass inlet inlet is is open, open,

wherein: wherein:

in in response response to to a pressure a pressure of fluid of fluid in the in the second second valve valve inlet inlet of the of the mixing mixing

valve being valve being above abovea athreshold thresholdvalue, value,the thebypass bypassvalve valveisisretained retainedin in the the closed configuration, closed configuration, thereby thereby restricting restricting fluidfluid flowflow from from the first the first valvevalve inlet inlet

throughthe through the firstbypass first bypass inlet; inlet; andand

in in response response to to the the pressure pressure of fluid of the the fluid in the in the second second valve inlet valve inlet

dropping belowthe dropping below thethreshold thresholdvalue, value,the thebypass bypassvalve valvechanges changes from from thethe closed closed

configuration configuration toto theopen the open configuration configuration suchfluid such that that in fluid the in the valve first first valve inlet inlet

Claims (1)

13 12 Jun 2025 2020242477 12 Jun 2025

flowsfrom flows fromthethe firstvalve first valveinlet, inlet,through throughthethe first first bypass bypass inlet, inlet, and and outtheof out of the bypass outlet. bypass outlet.

12. 12. The The fluid fluid mixing mixing assembly assembly of claim of claim 11, 11, wherein wherein the bypass the bypass valve valve has a has a second second

bypass inletininfluid bypass inlet fluidcommunication communication withsecond with the the second valveandinlet, valve inlet, and aofportion a portion of in the fluid the fluid in the second the valveinlet second valve inlet flows flows to to the thesecond second bypass inlet to bypass inlet to bias bias the thebypass bypass valve valve towards the towards the 2020242477

closed configuration. closed configuration.

13. 13. The The fluid fluid mixing mixing assembly assembly of claim of claim 1112, 11 or or 12, wherein wherein the bypass the bypass valvevalve has ahas a piston, piston,

the piston the pistonbeing beingin in a firstposition a first positionininresponse response to bypass to the the bypass valveinbeing valve being in the the closed closed configuration configuration and and aa second secondposition positionin in response responsetotothe the bypass bypassvalve valvebeing beingininthe theopen open configuration, thepiston configuration, the piston closing closing the the first first bypass bypass inletinlet in first in the the first position position and opening and opening the first the first

bypass inletininthe bypass inlet thesecond second position. position.

14. 14. The The fluid fluid mixing mixing assembly assembly of claim of claim 13, 13, wherein wherein the bypass the bypass valve valve has a has a biasing biasing means means

to bias to thepiston bias the pistontowards towards the the first first position. position.

15. 15. The The fluid fluid mixing mixing assembly assembly of claim of claim 14, 14, wherein wherein the biasing the biasing means means is a spring. is a spring.

16. 16. The The fluid fluid mixing mixing assembly assembly of any of any oneclaims one of of claims 12 to12 to wherein 15, 15, wherein the bypass the bypass

assembly further assembly further comprises comprises a first a first fluidfluid line line coupling coupling the second the second valve valve inlet inlet in fluid in fluid

communication communication toto thesecond the second bypass bypass inlet. inlet.

17. 17. The The fluid fluid mixing mixing assembly assembly of any of any oneclaims one of of claims 11 to11 to wherein 16, 16, wherein the bypass the bypass

assembly further assembly further comprises comprises a second a second fluid fluid line line coupling coupling the the bypass bypass outlet outlet in fluid in fluid

communication communication toto thevalve the valveoutlet. outlet.

18. 18. The The fluid fluid mixing mixing assembly assembly of any of any oneclaims one of of claims 11 to11 to wherein 17, 17, wherein the first the first bypass bypass inlet inlet

is is coupled coupled totothe thefirst firstvalve valveinlet. inlet.

19. 19. The The fluid fluid mixing mixing assembly assembly of any of any oneclaims one of of claims 11 to11 to wherein, 18, 18, wherein, in response in response to to the the bypass valve bypass valve being being in the in the open open configuration, configuration, theinfluid the fluid the in thevalve first first inlet valveflows inlet from flows from the the

first valve first valve inlet, inlet, through thefirst through the first bypass bypass inlet,through inlet, throughthethe bypass bypass outlet, outlet, and and out of out the of the valve valve outlet outlet

14 12 Jun 2025 2020242477 12 Jun 2025

20. 20. The fluid mixing The fluid mixing assembly ofany assembly of anyone oneofofclaims claims1111toto19, 19,wherein whereinthe thebypass bypass assembly further comprises assembly further comprisesa aone-way one-way valve valve disposed disposed in the in the bypass bypass outlet outlet thatthat permits permits fluid fluid

flow out flow outofofthe thebypass bypass outlet outlet but but restricts restricts fluid fluid flow flow intointo the the bypass bypass outlet. outlet.

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Figure 2

20201886312 OM PCT/AU2020/050269 PCT/AU2020/050269 3/5

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Figure 3

WO 2020/186312 20201886312 OM PCT/AU2020/050269 4/5

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Figure 4

PCT/AU2020/050269 5/5

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Figure 5