T. Kato, Piolax inc., Yokohama, Japan
Thermostatic mixing valves,in general, are required to provided constant supply of a certain pre-set temperature by mixing hot and cold water.
The conventional thermostatic mixing valves have wax units as actuators, which often cause unexpected temperature rise of discharging water as the fluid pressure is changed.
This is due to slow responsiveness of the wax unit.
We have developed the new thermostatic mixing valves using SMA springs in place of the wax units.
Summary: By using an SMA spring for a temperature sensing element,we were able to provide our customers with a safe shower with almost no overshoot.
