METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CONTROLLING TEMPERATURE OF A LIQUID

摘要

A temperature controlling method and apparatus are provided using digital control and information stored in memory. The apparatus includes a number of on/off valves. A first set of valves is used to receive cold water and a second set of valves is used to receive hot water. The opening and closing of the valves is controlled by an electronic controller. Each of the valves is able to receive water from one of a plurality of orifices. In the preferred arrangement, a first set of orifices supplies cold water to the first set of valves and a second set of orifice supplies hot water to the second set of valves. The orifices of the second set are greater in size than are the corresponding orifices of the first set. The water from the valves and the orifices is combined in a common flow line. The temperature of the water in the common flow line is monitored and a signal indicative of the actual water temperature is outputted to the controller. The controller, using the stored information, acts to open and close the valves until a water mixture is achieved in which the actual, sensed temperature corresponds to a desired water temperature selected by the user of the apparatus. In reaching the desired water temperature, the controller is able to cause the opening of numerous combinations of valves.