Bi-stable valve

A bi-stable valve comprising:

• a valve inlet;
• a flow control passage downstream of the valve inlet;
• a first valve outlet;
• and a second valve outlet;
• wherein the first valve outlet situated toward a first side of the flow control passage and the second valve outlet situated toward a second opposing side of the flow control passage;
• wherein the first valve outlet and the second valve outlet both downstream of the flow control passage and both fed by the flow control passage;
• wherein the flow control passage defined in part by a primary flow surface on the first side of the flow control passage and a secondary flow surface on the second opposing side of the flow control passage, wherein a flow though the valve inlet primarily flows along the primary flow surface and to the first valve outlet at a first back pressure at the first valve outlet, and the flow though the valve inlet primarily flows along the secondary flow surface and to the second valve outlet at a second back pressure at the first valve outlet, wherein the second back pressure is higher than the first back pressure;
• wherein the primary flow surface has a convex shape over at least a major length of the flow control passage;
• and wherein the convex shape of the primary flow surface has a greater cumulative curve over the major length of the flow control passage than the secondary flow surface;
• where in the flow control passage has an upstream end adjacent the valve inlet and a downstream end feeding the first valve outlet and the second valve outlet, and wherein the first valve outlet and the second valve outlet are separated by a valve outlet separating wall, wherein the valve outlet separating wall extends toward the valve inlet and terminates at a terminating end at or before the downstream end of the flow control passage.

Abi-stable valve comprising a valve body that defines:

• a valve inlet;
• a flow control passage downstream of the valve inlet;
• a first valve outlet;
• a second valve outlet;
• the valve body defining a preferential wall that is convex in shape that draw a flow through the valve inlet primarily towards the first valve outlet, the first valve outlet having a backpressure that is dependent on the flow through the first valve outlet;
• and the valve body defining a second wall that is convex in shaped to draw the flow through the valve inlet more towards the second valve outlet as the backpressure at the first valve outlet increases, wherein the convex shape of the preferential wall of the valve body has a greater cumulative curve over a major length of the flow control passage than the second wall of the valve body;
• wherein the flow control passage has an upstream end adjacent the valve inlet and a downstream end feeding the first valve outlet and the second valve outlet, and wherein the first valve outlet and the second valve outlet are separated by a valve outlet separating wall, wherein the valve outlet separating wall extends toward the valve inlet and terminates at a terminating end at or before the downstream end of the flow control passage.