Dual action flow reversing valve with bi-stable state

A valve arrangement (10) configured to passively switch between first and second operational modes, the valve arrangement (10) comprising:

• first (13), second (14), and third ports (15);
• a first valve body (20) biased by a resilient element (22) to a closed position against a first valve seat (26) of a first seat insert (24) which is located at or in proximity to the third port (15), in order to close the third port (15) in the first operational mode;
• a second valve body (40) that acts against a second valve seat (46) of a second seat insert (44), which is located at or in proximity to the second port (14) and in the first operational mode, the second valve body (40) is in an open position spaced apart from the second valve seat (46) such that fluid is adapted to circulate from the first port (13) to the second port (14);
• a valve stem (70) extending between the second valve body (40) and the first valve body (20) such that, in the first operational mode, movement of the first valve body (20) to the closed position moves the second valve body (40) to the open position, allowing circulation of the fluid between the first and second ports (14), and in the second operational mode, upon a force of the fluid acting on the first valve body (20) from the third port (15) overcoming a closing force of the resilient element (22) and any pressure force (F1) of the fluid from the first and/or second ports (14), the first valve body (20) is movable to an open position while simultaneously moving the second valve body (40) to a closed position against the second valve seat (46) such that the fluid from the third port (15) is adapted to circulate through the first port (13);
• and
• a shield (52) located in proximity to the second port (14), the shield (52) includes a receiving space (54) that faces a stem side (40b) of the second valve body (40), and in the first operational mode, with the second valve body (40) in the open position, the shield (52) surrounds a peripheral region of the second valve body (40).

A valve arrangement (10) configured to passively switch between first and second operational modes, the valve arrangement (10) comprising:

• first (13), second (14), and third ports (15);
• a first valve body (20) biased by a resilient element (22) to a closed position against a first valve seat (26) of a first seat insert (24) which is located at or in proximity to the third port (15), in order to close the third port (15) in the first operational mode;
• a second valve body (40) that acts against a second valve seat (46) of a second seat insert (44), which is located at or in proximity to the second port (14), and in the first operational mode, the second valve body (40) is in an open position spaced apart from the second valve seat (46) such that fluid is adapted to circulate from the first port (13) to the second port (14);
• a valve stem (70) extending between the second valve body (40) and the first valve body (20) such that, in the first operational mode, movement of the first valve body (20) to the closed position moves the second valve body (40) to the open position, allowing circulation of the fluid between the first (13) and second ports (14), and in the second operational mode, upon a force of the fluid acting on the first valve body (20) from the third port (15) overcoming a closing force of the resilient element (22) and any pressure force (F1) of the fluid from the first (13) and/or second ports (14), the first valve body (20) is movable to an open position while simultaneously moving the second valve body (40) to a closed position against the second valve seat (46) such that the fluid from the third port (15) is adapted to circulate through the first port (13);
• and
• the second valve body (40) includes a ramp section on a second valve seat (46) side (40a) thereof, wherein in the first operational mode a force (F4) of the fluid flow through the valve arrangement (10) acts on the ramp section to apply an additional force in an axial direction (X) toward the first valve body (20).

A method of assembling a valve arrangement (10), the method comprising:

• forming a first sub-assembly by assembling a first valve body (20) with a resilient element (22) in a first seat insert (24) that includes a first valve seat (26) and inserting a first axial end (72a) of a valve stem (70) with a snap fit into a first socket (36) on a stem side (20b) of the first valve body (20);
• providing a valve housing (12) having first, second and third ports (13, 14, 15), and inserting the first sub-assembly stem first into the third port (15) of the valve housing (12);
• forming a second sub-assembly by assembling a second valve body (40) with a second seat insert (44) that includes a second valve seat (46) and a shield (52) that partially surrounds the second valve body (40) in an open position of the second valve body (40);
• inserting the second sub-assembly into the second port (14) of the valve housing (12) with a second axial end of the stem being received in a second socket (66) on the second valve body (40), with at least one of the stem or the second socket (66) extending through an opening (60) in the shield (52);
• and
• connecting the second axial end (72b) of the stem with a snap fit into the second socket (66), such that the valve arrangement (10) is connected in the valve housing (12) with the valve stem (70) extending between the second valve body (40) and the first valve body (20) wherein, in a first operational mode, movement of the first valve body (20) to the closed position moves the second valve body (40) to the open position, allowing circulation of fluid between the first port (13) and the second port (14), and in a second operational mode, upon a force of the fluid acting on the first valve body (20) from the third port (15) overcoming a closing force of the resilient element (22) and any pressure force (F1) of the fluid from the first (13) and/or second ports (14) the first valve body (20) is movable to an open position while simultaneously moving the second valve body (40) to a closed position against the second valve seat (46) such that the fluid from the third port (15) is adapted to circulate through the first port (13).