What is the aspirator for?

[leorob]

Kohler K-302 shower valve
What is the aspirator for?

 

[theBigSee]

Not familiar with your specific device, but in a general sense any aspirator is simply a device to introduce air.

 

[Sponsor]

 

[Runs with Bison]

It's in an odd lace in the part diagram for the Kohler. I have no idea what it is for there.

 

[Jimbo]

Notice that the parts diagram is typical for Kohler....multiple versions produced of the identical model #>http://www.kohlerserviceparts.kohle...22b6&ModelID=cbe0c82ce70a49958823633ac97126e5

Anyway, the aspirator #30521 is an insert in the body of the valve, at the outlet to the shower. Many, if not most , brands ...use a flow restricor in the outlet to the shower. Helps to eliminate unwanted upflow to the shower head when using spout. Don't know why they call it an aspirator, but I don't know of any explanation except "flow restrictor".

 

[Thomas Carver]

I also thought it was for water restriction conservation until I read the invention patent. Pretty clever thinking. Not for water conservation at all. Basically its intentions are for when you are drawing a bath, excess water pressure doesn't send water up the pipe to the shower head by way of the venturi effect. Pretty good article if you would like to educate yourself. https://patents.google.com/patent/US8210203B2/en

 

[hj]

Kohler K-302 shower valve
What is the aspirator for?

ALL 2 valve tut.shower valves, without a 'twin ell', must have some device to limit the flow to the spout so excess waters does not go to the shower head and drip/spray water. The "aspirator's" main functions to to control the flow, but its secondary function is to "aspriate/suck" any excess water out of the riser before it can reach the shower head.