US 12,449,050 B2
Pipe burst prevention ceramic cartridge, valve system and method
James H. Stathis, Cambridge, MA (US)
Filed by James H. Stathis, Cambridge, MA (US)
Filed on Mar. 5, 2024, as Appl. No. 18/596,519.
Prior Publication US 2025/0283545 A1, Sep. 11, 2025
Int. Cl. F16K 17/04 (2006.01); E03B 7/10 (2006.01); E03C 1/02 (2006.01)
CPC F16K 17/04 (2013.01) [E03B 7/10 (2013.01); E03C 2001/026 (2013.01); F16K 2200/501 (2021.08)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A pipe-burst-prevention fluid control valve cartridge for fluid having a pressure, comprising:
a body having a stem end, a valve end capable of being held in fluid communication with a fluid control valve of a faucet in a plumbing system, an exterior surface, and a generally cylindrical interior surface; and
a generally cylindrical split stem at least a portion of which is configured to be rotatably held within the interior of said body having a spindle configured to receive a faucet handle, comprising:
an upper stem sized so as to be received within the interior surface of said body and configured to be capable of being rotated when the spindle is turned, and having an upper end adjacent to the spindle and a lower end generally opposite the upper end and adjacent to the cartridge body valve end with an interior cavity extending therefrom into the upper stem toward the upper stem upper end;
a lower stem having an upper end adjacent to the lower end of the upper stem with a piston affixed to the lower stem upper end and a lower end generally opposite the lower stem upper end, the lower stem configured to be slidably received into and rotatably held in the interior of said cartridge body to allow it to rotate when the spindle is rotated and prevent the flow of fluid from the inlet to the outlet when the spindle is rotated to its closed position and the pressure of the fluid is less than the predetermined pressure, and allow at least some fluid to flow through the outlet when the spindle is rotated to its open position or the spindle is in its closed position and the pressure of the fluid equals or exceeds the predetermined pressure; and
a spring held in the cavity by the piston that is capable of compressing when the pressure of the fluid equals or exceeds the pre-determined pressure,
wherein the piston, cavity and spring have diameters such that the cavity can receive slidably the spring and the piston, and lengths such that the lower end of the upper stem and the upper end of the lower stem form a gap when the spring is fully extended; and
a cartridge base held in said cartridge body at its valve end.