A temperature-actuated mixing valve for controlling outlet temperature in a fluid flow
system including a valve housing having first and second
fluid supply inlets for introducing first and second respective supply fluids and a fluid outlet for dispensing a fluid at a predetermined outflow temperature. The mixing valve includes a shuttle
assembly positioned in the housing. The shuttle
assembly includes a valve member mounted for movement within the housing responsive to the temperature of the supply fluids to vary the mixture ratio of the first and second supply fluids as required to dispense fluid at the predetermined outflow temperature. A shuttle member is positioned within the valve member and is moveable as a unit therewith within a predetermined
range of motion responsive to supply
fluid temperature variation. A thermal
actuator is provided of the type which converts
thermal energy into mechanical movement by movement of a
piston. A first end of the thermal element engages the movable shuttle member and an opposing second end engages a stationary portion of the housing whereby movement of the
piston of the thermal
actuator produces corresponding movement of the valve member. An overtravel spring is captured in a tensioned condition between the valve member and the shuttle member for maintaining the shuttle member and the valve member in a stationary condition relative to each other within the predetermined
range of motion of the valve member and for permitting movement of the shuttle member relative to the valve member sufficient to accommodate movement of the
piston of the thermal
actuator when the valve member has reached its limit of travel without accommodating the full extent of movement of the piston of the thermal actuator.