Reversing valve with flowsplitter
AssigneeRanco Incorporated of Delaware
InventorsJack Moreno, Lawrence Hall, Scott Schneller, Richard Ballard
Life of this patent
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AssigneeRanco Incorporated of Delaware
InventorsJack Moreno, Lawrence Hall, Scott Schneller, Richard Ballard
Estimating the term…
Provided is a reversing valve for reversing flow in a refrigeration system. The reversing valve includes a valve body having first, second, third, and fourth ports disposed into the valve body. A valve member inside the valve body can be selectively moved between a first position intersecting the second and third ports and a second position intersecting the second and fourth ports. The valve member defines a channel that directs flow between the selected pairs of ports. The channel is generally shaped as a curve that bends the flow between the selected ports. To reduce the pressure drop across the reversing valve, a flow splitter is included that divides the channel into multiple sub-channels. Dividing the channel into multiple sub-channels increases the curve ratio of the channel, which reduces the generation of turbulent secondary flows in the channel. The flow splitter also provides additional structural support to the valve member.
A reversing valve comprising:
A valve member adapted for reciprocal motion in a valve body between first and second positions to establish fluid communication between first, second, and third ports disposed through the valve body and arranged in a row, the valve member comprising:
The valve member of claim 32, wherein the flow splitter includes a web located substantially within and extending generally across the width of the channel, the web being generally offset from the flow surface to divide the channel into the first and the second sub-channel.
The valve member of claim 33, wherein the flow surface curves over the channel length, and the web generally corresponds in shape to the flow surface.
The valve member of claim 34, wherein the flow splitter includes a second web located substantially within the channel and generally offset from the first web, the second web separating the second sub-channel further into a second and a third sub-channel.
A method of reducing shock in a reversing valve for reversing flow in a 180 degree direction, the method comprising:
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.