US 12,235,662 B2
Mixing valve subassembly and water heater including same
Cameron Wright, Indianapolis, IN (US)
Assigned to Rheem Manufacturing Company, Atlanta, GA (US)
Filed by Rheem Manufacturing Company, Atlanta, GA (US)
Filed on Oct. 26, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/510,972.
Prior Publication US 2023/0129926 A1, Apr. 27, 2023
Int. Cl. G05D 23/13 (2006.01); F16K 11/00 (2006.01); F16K 11/24 (2006.01); F16K 31/04 (2006.01)
CPC G05D 23/1393 (2013.01) [F16K 11/24 (2013.01); F16K 19/00 (2013.01); F16K 31/046 (2013.01)] 17 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An assembly for a water heater, the assembly comprising:
an outer shell configured to enclose a tank of the water heater, the outer shell comprising:
a jacket configured to surround the tank; and
a top pan disposed at a top of the jacket and configured to extend over the tank; and
a mixing valve assembly disposed at least partially within the outer shell, the mixing valve assembly comprising:
a cold water connector configured to fluidly connect to a first tubular portion of a cold water inlet of the water heater;
a hot water connector configured to fluidly connect to a second tubular portion of a hot water outlet of the water heater;
an electronic valve system configured to transition a valve between an open configuration and a closed configuration; and
a tube extending between and fluidly connecting the cold water connector and the hot water connector, wherein the tube is disposed within the outer shell and underneath the top pan, and wherein the tube is at least partially surrounded by insulation, wherein:
the cold water connector is disposed at least partially within the outer shell and underneath the top pan,
the hot water connector is disposed at least partially within the outer shell and underneath the top pan,
a top portion of the cold water connector is disposed outside of the outer shell and above the top pan, and
a top portion of the hot water connector is disposed outside of the outer shell and above the top pan.