# US 2014/0190192 A1 · Valve device, in particular for a refrigerating machine > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2014/0190192 A1 - Document ID: US20140190192A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 14/240,156 - Filed: 2012-08-31 - Published: 2014-07-10 - Earliest claimed: 2011-09-02 - Assignees: BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgerate GmbH - Inventors: Stefan Bassmann - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20140190192A1 ## CPC - F25B 41/20: Disposition of valves, e.g. of on-off valves or flow control valves (expansion valves F25B41/31) - F16K 11/074: with flat sealing faces - F25B 41/00: Fluid-circulation arrangements - F25B 2600/2511: Evaporator distribution valves - Y10T 137/86654: For plural lines - F25B: REFRIGERATION MACHINES, PLANTS OR SYSTEMS; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS - F16K: VALVES; TAPS; COCKS; ACTUATING-FLOATS; DEVICES FOR VENTING OR AERATING {(devices for emptying and evacuating the excess liquid in valves or conduits F16L55/07)} - Y10T: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION ## Abstract The invention relates to a valve device for a refrigerating machine that circulates a refrigerant, which valve device is provided with at least one condenser and at least one evaporator. The valve device comprises at least one inlet, at which the refrigerant in the condenser can be fed to the valve device, at least three outlets, through which the refrigerant in the valve device can be discharged into the evaporator, and a valve element, which is rotatably arranged about an axis (A) and can be brought into a plurality of positions (S1, S2, S3, S4, S5, S6, S7). In a first position (S1), the first outlet is connected to the inlet in order to convey refrigerant. In a second position (S2), the second outlet is connected to the inlet in order to convey refrigerant. In a third position (S3), the third outlet is connected to the inlet in order to convey refrigerant. In a fourth position (S4), none of the at least three outlets is connected to the inlet, and in a fifth position (S5), at least two of the at least three outlets are connected to the inlet. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A valve device for a refrigerating machine that circulates a refrigerant, which valve device is provided with at least one condenser and at least one evaporator, comprising: at least one inlet, at which the refrigerant in the condenser can be fed to the valve device; at least three outlets through which the refrigerant in the valve device can be discharged into the evaporator; a valve element, which is rotatably arranged about an axis (A) and can be brought into a plurality of positions (S1 S2, S3, S4, S5, S6, S7); wherein in a first position (S1) the first outlet is connected to the inlet in order to convey refrigerant; wherein in a second position (S2) the second outlet is connected to the inlet in order to convey refrigerant; wherein in a third position (S3) the third outlet is connected to the inlet in order to convey refrigerant; wherein in a fourth position (S4) none of the at least three outlets is connected to the inlet and wherein in a fifth position (S5) at least two of the at least three outlets is connected to the inlet. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The valve device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least three outlets are arranged equidistantly to the axis (A). ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The valve device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least three outlets are located on a circle, wherein the center of the circle is arranged on the axis (A) and the outlets are arranged equidistantly in the circumferential direction of the circle. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The valve device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the valve element comprises an adjusting dial which is preferably rotatable about the axis (A) by means of a gearwheel capable of being driven by a stepping motor. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The valve device as claimed in claim 4, wherein the adjusting dial comprises a panel which is rotationally asymmetrical with regard to the axis (A). ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The valve device as claimed in claim 5, wherein the panel comprises at least two recesses which connects the inlet to at least one of the at least three outlets in order to convey refrigerant. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The valve device according to claim 1, wherein a sixth position (S6) and a seventh position (S7), in which at least two of the at least three outlets respectively are connected to the inlet. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The valve device as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least one position (S4) in which none of the at least three outlets is connected to the inlet is arranged between two positions (S5) in which at least two of the at least three outlets are connected to the inlet respectively. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) A refrigerating machine comprising a valve device as claimed in claim 1. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The refrigerating machine as claimed in claim 9, wherein a condenser, an evaporator, a compressor and at least three flow restricting units arranged in parallel which are connected to one of the at least three outlets of the valve device respectively and to the evaporator respectively. ### Claim 11 (depends on 9) The refrigerating machine as claimed in claim 9, wherein a condenser, at least three evaporators arranged in parallel, a compressor and at least three flow restricting units arranged in parallel which are connected to at least one of the at least three outlets of the valve device respectively and to one of the at least three evaporators respectively. ### Claim 12 (depends on 10) The refrigerating machine as claimed in claim 10, wherein the at least three flow restricting units have different pressure loss coefficients. ### Claim 13 (depends on 9) A refrigerating appliance, in particular a domestic refrigerating appliance, with a refrigerating machine as claimed in claim 9. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) A method for controlling a valve device as claimed in claim 1, comprising the following method steps: conveyance of refrigerant from the inlet to the first outlet in the first position (S1); conveyance of refrigerant from the inlet to the second outlet in the second position (S2); conveyance of refrigerant from the inlet to the third outlet in the third position (S3); interruption of the flow of refrigerant in the fourth position (S4) and conveyance of refrigerant from the inlet (61) to two of the at least three outlets in the fifth position (S5).