# US 2025/0155035 A1 · Compact and Modular Valve

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- Number: US 2025/0155035 A1
- Document ID: US20250155035A1
- Status: Published application
- Kind: A1
- Application number: 18/824,017
- Filed: 2024-09-04
- Published: 2025-05-15
- Earliest claimed: 2023-11-14
- Assignees: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
- Applicants: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
- Inventors: Andrew Swantek
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20250155035A1

## CPC

- F16K 11/0873: {the plug being only rotatable around one spindle}
- 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)}

## Abstract

Disclosed is a valve core for adjusting fluid flow in a multi-port valve assembly having a valve body defining a valve seat. The valve core includes a valve plug, and a valve stem. The valve plug defines two or more flow channels to facilitate fluid flow between two or more channel ports. The valve plug is configured to rotate within the valve seat about an axis of rotation between a first position and a second position. The valve stem extends outwardly from the valve plug.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A valve core for adjusting fluid flow in a multi-port valve assembly having a valve body defining a valve seat, the valve core comprising:
a valve plug defining two or more flow channels configured to facilitate fluid flow between two or more channel ports, wherein the valve plug is configured to rotate within the valve seat about an axis of rotation between a first position and a second position; and
a valve stem extending outwardly from the valve plug.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The valve core of claim 1, wherein each of the two or more flow channels is configured to facilitate fluid flow between three channel ports.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The valve core of claim 2, wherein at least one of the two or more flow channels is generally Y-shaped.

### Claim 4 (depends on 2)

The valve core of claim 2, wherein at least one of the two or more flow channels is generally T-shaped.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The valve core of claim 1, wherein the valve core is configured to adjust fluid flow in a multi-port valve assembly having four ports.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The valve core of claim 1, wherein the valve core is configured to adjust fluid flow in a multi-port valve assembly having five ports.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The valve core of claim 1, wherein the valve core is configured to adjust fluid flow in a multi-port valve assembly having six ports.

### Claim 8

A multi-port valve assembly for adjusting fluid flow, the multi-port valve assembly comprising:
a valve body defining a valve seat fluidly coupled to each of a plurality of ports, wherein the plurality of ports comprises a first port, a second port, a third port, and a fourth port; and
a valve core having a valve plug and a valve stem extending outwardly from the valve plug,
wherein the valve plug defines two or more flow channels, and
wherein the valve plug is configured to rotate within the valve seat about an axis of rotation between a first position and a second position to redirect or throttle a flow rate between two or more of the plurality of ports via the two or more flow channels.

### Claim 9 (depends on 8)

The multi-port valve assembly of claim 8, wherein the plurality of ports further comprises a fifth port.

### Claim 10 (depends on 9)

The multi-port valve assembly of claim 9, wherein the plurality of ports further comprises a sixth port.

### Claim 11 (depends on 10)

The multi-port valve assembly of claim 10, wherein, when the valve plug is in the first position, the first port is fluidly coupled to each of the second port and the third port and the fourth port is fluidly coupled to each of the fifth port and sixth port.

### Claim 12 (depends on 11)

The multi-port valve assembly of claim 11, wherein, when the valve plug is in the second position, the first port is fluidly coupled to each of the fifth port and sixth port and the third port is fluidly coupled to each of the second port and fourth port.

### Claim 13 (depends on 10)

The multi-port valve assembly of claim 10, wherein the valve plug is configured to rotate within the valve seat between the first position and the second position via one or more intermediate positions that throttle the flow rate.

### Claim 14 (depends on 8)

The multi-port valve assembly of claim 8, wherein each of the two or more flow channels is configured to facilitate fluid flow between three channel ports formed in the valve plug.

### Claim 15 (depends on 14)

The multi-port valve assembly of claim 14, wherein at least one of the two or more flow channels is generally Y-shaped.

### Claim 16 (depends on 14)

The multi-port valve assembly of claim 14, wherein at least one of the two or more flow channels is generally T-shaped.