Bypass valve for pumps, heating systems and the like

A bypass valve for regulating the flow of a fluid, comprising a housing having a fluid-admitting inlet, a first fluid-discharging outlet, a second fluid-discharging bypass outlet intermediate said inlet and said first outlet, an annular zone of minimum cross section intermediate said first and second outlets, and an annular section intermediate said second outlet and said annular zone, merging with the latter and converging toward the same as considered in a direction of flow of fluid from said inlet to said first outlet;

• a first valving element disposed in said housing intermediate said inlet and said first outlet, said valving element having a first fluid-contacting area and being movable by inflowing fluid between an infinite number of positions in each of which said valving element defines with said housing a clearance establishing first paths of different cross-sectional areas for the flow of fluid in said direction in a range commencing at an end position in which said first valving element defines a clearance of minimum cross-sectional area with said annular zone and extending downstream from the latter so that said annular section directs the flow of fluid against said first valving element;
• a second valving element disposed in said housing intermediate said inlet and said second outlet, said second valving element having a second fluid-contacting area different from said first area and being movable by the fluid in said housing between an infinite number of positions in each of which said second valving element cooperates with said housing to establish second paths of different cross-sectional areas for the flow of fluid from said housing through said second outlet;
• and means for confining said valving element to movement in and counter to said predetermined direction in response to the action of the fluid on said valving elements.