Multi-way valve for a fluid circuit

Abstract

The invention relates to a multi-way valve comprising: - a body having a first housing and a first series of orifices (A1, B1, C1) opening into said housing, - a first rotary member (3) rotatably movable in the first housing, which member controls the circulation of fluid between the orifices of said first series, - a second housing arranged in the body, which second housing is adjacent to the first housing and in the same plane, - a second series of orifices (A2, B2, C2) arranged in the body, which orifices open into the second housing, - a second rotary member (4) rotatably movable in the second housing, which member controls the circulation of fluid between the orifices of the second series, - a common channel or duct (DO) connects the two housings, - an orifice (D) opens into the common channel or duct (DO) and onto an outer surface of the body.

Description

Description Title: MULTI-WAY VALVE FOR A FLUID CIRCUIT Technical field. [1] The present invention relates to a multi-way valve for a fluid circuit. The invention also relates to a heat exchanger system comprising such a valve and to a motor vehicle comprising such a system. [2] The invention relates in particular to the technical field of multi-way valves having several fluid inlet / outlet ports. State of the art. [3] The size of components in a fluid circuit is a significant constraint, particularly in motor vehicles where miniaturization is sought to reduce their footprint. In the context of a heat exchanger, one solution is to compact all of its components. [4] Multi-way valves address this problem in that they generally group a number of valves into a single valve. [5] We know in particular from patent documents WO2021 / 121922 and CN1 10118269A, multi-port valves of the type comprising a valve body with a housing. A first series of fluid inlet and / or outlet ports and a second series of fluid inlet and / or outlet ports open onto an external surface of the valve body at different levels. A rotating element is mounted to rotate freely within the housing about an axis of rotation perpendicular to the planes, such that said element assumes different angular positions in which the various ports of the series are closed or left open in order to control the flow of fluid between said ports. [6] These valves, however, have some drawbacks. First, these valves are staggered, resulting in a relatively large axial footprint. Furthermore, the number of fluid flow paths (or operating modes) is limited. [7] The invention aims to overcome the drawbacks of the aforementioned prior art. More specifically, the invention aims to provide a multi-way valve with a small axial footprint. Another objective of the invention is to provide a multi-way valve offering more operating modes. Yet another objective of the invention is to provide a multi-way valve that is easy to design and assemble and simple to operate. Presentation of the invention. [8] The solution proposed by the invention is a multi-way valve comprising: - a one-piece valve body in which a first housing and a first series of fluid inlet and / or outlet ports are arranged, said ports opening into said first housing, - a first rotating member mounted to rotate freely in the first housing around a first axis of rotation such that said first member assumes different angular positions, said first member being adapted to control the circulation of fluid between the orifices of said first series according to said angular positions, and in which: - a second dwelling is created within the building, which second dwelling is adjacent to the first dwelling and located on the same floor plan as said first dwelling, - a second series of fluid inlet and / or outlet ports is provided in the body, said ports opening into the second housing, - a second rotating member is mounted to rotate freely in the second housing around a second axis of rotation distinct from and parallel to the first axis of rotation, so that said second member can assume different angular positions, said second member being adapted to control the circulation of fluid between the orifices of the second series according to said angular positions, - a common channel or conduit connects the first and second dwellings in such a way as to allow fluid communication between said dwellings, - a common fluid inlet and / or outlet is provided in the body, which orifice opens on one side into the common canal or conduit and on the other side onto an external surface of said body. [9] The fact that two rotating members control the fluid flow between the ports of the different series, combined with the fact that the two housings can be in fluidic communication, makes it possible to increase tenfold the number of possible operating modes compared to prior art multi-way valves. Furthermore, each rotating member can assume different angular positions independently of the other, which further increases the number of operating modes. In addition, the fact that the two housings and their respective rotating members are in the same plane makes it possible to obtain a small axial footprint. The multi-way valve according to the invention makes it possible, for example, to group several three-way valves or several four-way valves.Finally, the use of two separate rotating components allows each to be designed specifically in order to easily offer all the combinations suitable for the desired operating modes.

[0010] Other advantageous features of the invention (according to its various aspects) are listed below. Each of these features may be considered alone or in combination with the notable features defined above. Each of these features contributes, where applicable, to the resolution of specific technical problems defined further in the description and in which the notable features defined above do not necessarily participate. The latter may, where applicable, be the subject of one or more divisional patent applications.

[0011] According to one embodiment, a first actuator ensures the rotation of the first rotating element and a second actuator, separate from said first actuator, ensures the rotation of the second rotating element.

[0012] According to one embodiment, a common actuator ensures the simultaneous rotation of the first rotating element and the second rotating element, through a device of gears or pinions in contact with said elements.

[0013] According to one embodiment, the first rotating element is configured so as to have angular positions allowing fluid circulation between the minus two orifices of the first series and / or between at least one orifice of said first series and the common canal or duct.

[0014] According to one embodiment, the second rotating member is configured so as to have angular positions allowing fluid circulation between at least two orifices of the second series and / or between at least one orifice of said second series and the common channel or conduit.

[0015] According to one embodiment, the first rotating member has a central cavity surrounded by a partition, said partition comprising two first adjacent openings distributed over 60°, a first solid portion covering 30°, two second adjacent openings distributed over 60°, a second solid portion covering 30°, a third opening distributed over 30°, a solid portion covering 150° and located between the third opening and the first openings, which openings are complementary to the orifices of the first series and the common channel or conduit.

[0016] According to one embodiment, the second rotating member has two distinct cavities without fluidic communication between said cavities, which cavities are surrounded by a partition, said partition comprising four openings offset by 90° complementary to the orifices of the second series and the common channel or conduit, two openings being arranged at the level of the first cavity and two openings being arranged at the level of the second cavity.

[0017] According to one embodiment, a sealing element is installed in the common channel or conduit and in the housings, between the valve body and the rotating parts, which sealing element has first openings complementary to the orifices of the first series and second openings complementary to the orifices of the second series so as to form a fluid seal between on the one hand the first rotating part and the orifices of said first series and on the other hand between the second rotating part and the orifices of said second series.

[0018] According to one embodiment, the sealing element comprises a connecting portion complementary to the common channel or conduit, which connecting portion has two openings leading respectively into the first housing and the second housing so as to form a fluid seal between on the one hand the first rotating part and the said common channel or conduit and on the other hand between the second rotating part and the said common channel or conduit.

[0019] According to one embodiment: the central cavity of the first rotating element is sealed by a first sealing cover and the cavities of the second rotating element are sealed by a second sealing cover; or the central cavity of the first rotating element and the cavities of the second rotating element are sealed by a common sealing cover.

[0020] According to one embodiment, the actuator(s) are fixed on a cover that seals the valve body tightly.

[0021] Another aspect of the invention relates to a heat exchanger system comprising a heat exchanger, a first fluid circulation circuit and a second fluid circulation circuit, in which the first circuit and the second circuit are connected to a multi-way valve conforming to one of the preceding characteristics, orifices of the first series being in fluidic connection with the first circuit and orifices of the second series being in fluidic connection with the second circuit.

[0022] According to one embodiment, the first circuit and / or the second circuit include one or more fluid circulation control devices, said device(s) being installed so as to block or allow the flow of fluid from or to one or more orifices of the first series and / or the second series.

[0023] Yet another aspect of the invention relates to a motor vehicle comprising a heat exchanger system configured to allow the cooling and / or heating of the vehicle's passenger compartment and / or elements of said vehicle, which heat exchanger system conforms to one of the preceding characteristics. Brief description of the figures.

[0024] Other advantages and features of the invention will become clearer upon reading the description of a preferred embodiment which follows, in reference to the attached drawings, provided as indicative and non-limiting examples, and on which: [Fig. 1 A] is a perspective view of a valve body of a valve according to the invention. [Fig. 1 B] is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the valve body of Figure 1 A. [Fig. 2A] is a perspective view of a first rotating member of a valve according to the invention. [Fig. 2B] is a cross-sectional view of the first organ in Figure 2A. [Fig. 3A] is a perspective view of a second rotating member of a valve according to the invention. [Fig. 3B] is a cross-sectional view of the second organ in Figure 3A. [Fig. 4A] is a perspective view of a sealing element suitable for installation in a valve according to the invention. [Fig. 4B] is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the sealing element in Figure 4A. [Fig. 5] is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a valve according to the invention, with its various constituent elements in the assembled state. [Fig. 6] is a perspective view of a valve according to the invention. [Fig. 7] is an exploded view of a valve according to the invention. [Fig. 8A], [Fig. 8B], [Fig. 8C], [Fig. 8D], [Fig. 8E], [Fig. 8F], [Fig. 8G], [Fig. 8H] and [Fig. 9] schematically illustrate the operation of a valve according to the invention in different angular positions of the rotating parts. [Fig. 10A], [Fig. 10B] and [Fig. 10C] illustrate a fluid circulation circuit in a heat exchanger system according to the invention and according to different operating modes. Description of the implementation methods.

[0025] To potentially supplement their common definition, the following clarifications are provided for certain terms used in the claims and description: - As used here, unless otherwise indicated, the possible use of the ordinal adjectives "first", "second", etc., to describe an object simply indicates that different occurrences of similar objects are being mentioned and does not imply that the objects so described must be in any given sequence, whether in time, space, ranking, or any other way. - "X and / or Y" means: X alone or Y alone or X+Y. - In general, it will be appreciated that on the various attached drawings, the objects are drawn arbitrarily to facilitate their reading. Valve body

[0026] Referring to Figures 1A and 1B, the valve V of the invention comprises a body 1, consisting of a side wall 10 of generally parallelepiped shape and a bottom wall 11. The body 1 has two internal recesses 12A and 12B extending from the bottom wall 11 to an open end of the body opposite the bottom wall. Each recess is generally cylindrical in shape, with respective axes Xa-Xa and Xb-Xb. These two axes are parallel.

[0027] The two housings 12A and 12B are adjacent and located in the same plane, which plane is normal to the axes Xa-Xa and Xb-Xb. According to a preferred embodiment allowing for a simplification of the valve design, these two housings 12A, 12B are identical and arranged symmetrically as mirror images.

[0028] According to a preferred embodiment, the body 1 is a single piece made of a rigid material, for example of steel, metal, plastic, etc.

[0029] Fluid inlet and / or outlet ports A1, B1, C1, A2, B2, C2 are provided in the side wall 10. These ports open, on the one hand, into housings 12A and 12B, and on the other hand, onto the external surface of said side wall. The ports are arranged in two series: a first series A1, B1, C1 installed at the level of the first housing 12A, and a second series A2, B2, C2 installed at the level of the second housing 12B.

[0030] In the accompanying figures, each series has three openings, but more openings may be provided at one or both of the housings 12A and 12B. According to a preferred embodiment, the openings A1, B1, and A2 of the first series are positioned at 90° to each other, and the openings A2, B2, and C2 of the second series are advantageously positioned at 90° to each other. The two series are preferably arranged symmetrically in a mirrored fashion. The openings A1, B1, C1, A2, B2, and A2 may each be connected to a tube (not shown) that protrudes from the outer surface of the side wall 10.

[0031] A common channel or conduit DO connects the first dwelling 12A and the second dwelling 12B, thus enabling fluid communication between said dwellings. To optimize space, this common channel or conduit DO is advantageously arranged within body 1, along the median plane of said body which passes through the axes Xa-Xa and Xb-Xb.

[0032] The body 1 also has a common inlet and / or outlet orifice D for fluid which opens on one side into the common channel or conduit DO and on the other side onto the external surface of the side wall 10.

[0033] The valve further comprises two separate rotating elements: a first element 3, mounted for rotation in the first housing 12A, about the Xa-Xa axis, and a second element 4, mounted for rotation in the second housing 12B, about the Xb-Xb axis. In operation, these rotating elements 3 and 4 assume different angular positions to control the fluid flow between the orifices of the different series according to said angular positions. More specifically, since the orifices A1, B1, and C1 of the first series are in fluidic communication with the first housing 12A, the first element 3 is adapted to control the fluid flow between the orifices of said first series. And since the orifices A2, B2, and C2 of the second series are in fluidic communication with the second housing 12B, the second element 4 is adapted to control the fluid flow between the orifices of said second series. First rotating organ

[0034] The first component 3 is configured to have angular positions that allow control of fluid circulation at the level of the first housing 12A, between at least two orifices A1, B1, C1 of the first series and / or between at least one orifice of said first series and the common channel or conduit DO. The first component 3 is also advantageously configured so as to have at least one angular position preventing any fluid circulation between the different orifices A1, B1, C1 of the first series and / or any fluid circulation between at least one orifice of said first series and the common channel or conduit DO.

[0035] Figures 2A and 2B illustrate the first component 3 according to a preferred embodiment. This component 3 consists of a lateral partition 33, generally cylindrical in shape with axis Xa-Xa, and a bottom wall 36. Its external diameter corresponds approximately to that of the first housing 12A. It includes a central cavity 31, annular in shape, surrounded by the partition 33. A central portion forming a rotation shaft 35 is located in the center of the cavity 31. Referring to Figure 2A, the shaft 35 has a tenon 350 projecting axially and comprising one or more splines. This tenon 350 is adapted to engage with a first actuator 8A, described later in this document.

[0036] The partition 33 includes openings 331 complementary to the orifices A1, B1, C1 of the first series and of the common canal or duct DO. These openings lead on one side into the cavity 31 and on the other side onto the external surface of the partition 33. In figures 2A and 2B, the organ 3 has five openings 331.

[0037] The distribution of the 331 openings in Figures 2A and 2B is as follows (clockwise): two adjacent openings spaced over 60°, a first solid section covering 30°, two second adjacent openings spaced over 60°, a second solid section covering 30°, a third opening spaced over 30°, and a solid section covering 150° located between the third opening and the first openings. Other configurations are possible, however, depending on the desired operating modes; a greater or lesser number of openings and / or solid sections may be considered.

[0038] The upper edges of the partition 33 and the rotation shaft 35 are advantageously ribbed so as to receive a seal (not shown) ensuring the sealing of the cavity 31 when the valve is assembled. Second rotating organ

[0039] The second component 4 is configured to have angular positions that allow control of fluid flow at the second housing 12B, between at least two orifices A2, B2, C2 of the second series and / or between at least one orifice of said second series and the common channel or conduit DO. The second component 4 is also advantageously configured to have at least one angular position that prevents any fluid flow between the various orifices A2, B2, C2 of the second series and / or any fluid flow between at least one orifice of said second series and the common channel or conduit DO.

[0040] Figures 3A and 3B illustrate the second component 4 according to a preferred embodiment. This component 4 consists of a lateral partition 43, generally cylindrical in shape with axis Xb-Xb, and a bottom wall 46. Its external diameter corresponds approximately to that of the housing 12B. It comprises two distinct cavities, 41 and 42 respectively, with no fluidic communication between them, surrounded by the partition 43. Internal partitions 44 isolate the two cavities 41 and 42. In Figures 3A and 3B, the partitions 44 extend diagonally across the component 4, from an internal surface of the partition 43 to a central portion forming a rotation shaft 45.

[0041] Partition 43 includes openings 431, 432 which complement the orifices A2, B2, C2 and the common channel or duct DO. These openings lead on one side into cavities 41, 42 and on the other side onto the external surface of the partition 43. One or more openings 431 are located at the level of the first cavity 41 and one or more openings 432 are located at the level of the second cavity 42. In Figures 3A and 3B, the organ 4 has four openings 431, 432 offset by 90°, two openings 431 being located at the level of the first cavity 41 and two other openings 432 being located at the level of the second cavity 42. Other configurations are, however, possible depending on the desired modes of operation; in particular, a greater or lesser number of openings and / or solid portions may be considered.

[0042] The upper edges of the partitions 43, 44 and of the rotation shaft 45 are advantageously ribbed so as to receive a seal (not shown) ensuring the sealing of the cavities 41, 42 when the valve is assembled.

[0043] Referring to Figure 3A, the shaft 45 has a tenon 450 projecting axially and comprising one or more splines. This tenon 450 is adapted to engage with a second actuator 8B described later in the description. Sealing element

[0044] Figures 4A and 4B illustrate a sealing element 5 configured for installation in housings 1A and 1B, between the body 1 and the rotating members 3 and 4. It advantageously has a double-sleeve shape 50, 51, whereby the sleeves are complementary to the housings 12A and 12B and connected by a connecting portion 52 complementary to the channel DO. The contact between the external surface of the element 5 and the internal wall of the housings 12A, 12B and the channel DO is preferably a tight contact ensuring fluid sealing.

[0045] According to an embodiment that simplifies design and assembly, element 5 is a single piece. It is preferably made of a flexible material, for example rubber or elastomer, so as to form a fluid seal between the body 1 and the rotating parts 3, 4.

[0046] Element 5 has, at the level of the first sleeve 50, first openings AO1, BO1, CO1 complementary to the orifices A1, B1, 01 of the first series so that when said element is installed in the body 1, the orifice A1 opens into the opening A01, the orifice B1 opens into the opening BO1 and the orifice 01 opens into the opening 001. The openings A01, B01, 001 are distinct from each other.

[0047] Second openings A02, B02, 002 are also provided in the second sleeve 51. These second openings A02, B02, 002 are complementary to the orifices A2, B2, 02 of the second series, so that when said element is installed in the body 1, orifice A2 opens into opening A02, orifice B2 opens into opening B02, and orifice 02 opens into opening 002. The second openings A02, B02, 002 are distinct from each other and distinct from the first openings AO1, BO1, CO1.

[0048] In the connecting section 52 are provided openings DO1, DO2 which open respectively into the first housing 12A and the second housing 12B. The connecting section 52 also has an opening DO3 complementary to the opening D so that when said element is installed in the body 1, the opening DO3 opens into the opening D.

[0049] Figures 5 and 6 illustrate the assembled V valve. The rotating members 3 and 4 are installed in the housings 12A and 12B, the sealing element 5 being integrated into the body 1. The tenon 350 of the first member 3 engages with the shaft of a first actuator 8A and the tenon 450 of the second member 4 engages with the shaft of a second actuator 8B.

[0050] The actuators 8A and 8B are rotary motors, each ensuring the rotation of a component 3 or 4. These components can have the same number of angular positions and be rotated simultaneously. However, having two separate actuators offers the advantage of being able to independently control each component 3 or 4, with a different number of angular positions and / or at different speeds, thus adapting with great flexibility to the various operating modes required. For example, the first component 3 can have four different angular positions and the second organ 4 only two.

[0051] According to one embodiment, a single common actuator can ensure the simultaneous rotation of the two components 3 and 4, notably through a device of gears or pinions meshing with said components and more particularly with the shafts 35, 45 and / or with the tenons 350, 450. The gears or pinions can be configured and arranged to drive the components 3, 4 simultaneously at identical angular positions (for example, 30°) or at different angular positions, or, in other words, at first increments for the first component 3 (for example, 30° increments) and at second increments for the second component 3. 4 (for example, increments of 90° or 180°).

[0052] In Figures 5 and 6, the actuators 8A, 8B are fixed to a cover 6, which seals the valve body 1 by cooperating with the sealing element 5 or with other dedicated sealing elements. In one embodiment, each actuator 8A, 8B is fixed to its own cover.

[0053] In one embodiment, the cavity 31 of the first component 3 is sealed by a first sealing cover 7A, and the cavities 41 and 42 of the second component 4 are sealed by a second sealing cover 7B. These covers 7A and 7B each have an opening allowing passage of the tenon 350 and the tenon 450, respectively. In another embodiment, the cavities 31, 41, and 42 are sealed by a common cover, which may be the aforementioned cover 6 or another dedicated cover. However, sealing the cavities 31, 41, and 42 with the two covers 7A and 7B facilitates interventions (for example, repair and / or replacement of components 3 and 4) on only a portion of the valve V, specifically at the housing 12A or 12B. Conversely, the presence of a single common cover simplifies and facilitates the assembly of the V valve.

[0054] Figure 7 is an exploded view of valve V showing its various component parts. Examples of valve operating modes.

[0055] Figures 8A to 8H schematically illustrate the operation of valve V in different angular positions of rotating members 3 and 4. In these examples, valve V operates by distinct rotations of rotating members 3 and 4.

[0056] Table 1 below, referenced as [Table 1], summarizes the fluidic communications between the orifices of the first series A1, B1, C1 and / or the second series A2, B2, C2 in different angular positions. A rotating element is said to be active when it is capable of allowing fluid to pass through it. For example, in the example in Figure 8G, the second element 4 is in an angular position where the solid portions of the partition 43 are located opposite the openings AO2, BO2, CO2 and the common channel DO so as to prevent the Fluid circulation occurs between the openings of said organ. The second organ 4 is therefore inactive. Conversely, the first organ 3 is in an angular position where its openings are located opposite the openings BO1, CO1 and the common channel DO so as to allow fluid circulation through said organ. The first organ 3 is therefore active.

[0057] [Table 1] The fluidic properties of the orifices offered by the V valve, compared to prior art multi-way valves, are improved. Each combination allows for a specific operating mode, examples of which are described later.

[0059] In the configurations shown in Figures 8A, 8B, 8D-8F, and 8H, two distinct fluid circulation circuits are formed through the valve. For example, in the configuration of Figure 8A, a first circuit flows between ports A1, C2, and D, and a second circuit flows between ports A2 and B2. In the configuration of Figure 8H, a first circuit flows between ports A2 and D, and a second circuit flows between ports B2 and C2. This allows a fluid of one type (for example, a high-temperature heating fluid) to circulate in the first circuit, and a fluid of a second type (for example, air or a refrigerant) in the second circuit.

[0060] In the case of Figure 8C, three distinct fluid circulation circuits are formed through the valve. A first circuit flows between ports B1 and 01, a second circuit flows between ports 02 and D, and a third circuit flows between ports A2 and B2, so that three fluids of a distinct nature can flow through the valve.

[0061] In figures 8A to 8H, the first component 3 takes five angular positions and the second component 4 takes two angular positions. It is understood that components 3 and / or 4 can take a greater or lesser number of angular positions in order to adapt to other modes of operation.

[0062] It is also understood that by modifying the configuration of one or more of the rotating elements 3, 4, other combinations of fluidic connections of the orifices can be obtained. In the example in Figure 9, the two rotating elements 3, 4 have the same configuration, namely that described with reference to Figures 3A and 3B. In the respective angular positions of elements 3 and 4, a first circuit flows between orifices A1 and B1, a second circuit flows between orifices C1, C2 and D, and a third circuit flows between orifices A2 and B2.

[0063] Figures 10A, 10B, and 10C illustrate a fluid circulation circuit in a motor vehicle heat exchanger system under different operating modes. This circuit includes valve V, a motor 90, an electric battery pack 91, a heat exchanger 92 for heating (or cooling) the passenger compartment, an air conditioning cooler 93, and a heating element 94 (e.g., a heater core). (electrical). Different pumps P1, P2, P3 circulate the fluid through the various branches of the circuit. A three-way valve V1 controls the circulation in the different branches. A check valve Cp controls the fluid entry at port D and prevents its exit. The valve V according to the invention allows several three-way valves to be replaced by a single valve, thereby reducing the size and simplifying the installation.

[0064] In Figure 10A, valve V is in the position shown in Figure 8D. Ports C1 and C2 are in fluidic communication through rotating members 3 and 4 and the common channel DO; and ports A2 and B2 are in fluidic communication through the second member 4. Ports A1 and B1 are closed by the first member 3. The check valve Cp blocks the fluid outlet from the channel DO through port D. Valve V1 is in a position where its ports a and c are open and port b is closed. Pumps P1 and P3 are activated and pump P2 is deactivated. In this configuration, two circulation circuits PC1 and PC2 are formed, in each of which a different type of fluid can circulate. Through the first circuit PC1, the passenger compartment is cooled by means of the heat exchanger 92, through which circulates a cooling fluid cooled by the cooler 93.And the batteries 91 are heated by a heat transfer fluid circulating through the engine 90, in the second circuit PC2.

[0065] In Figure 10B, valve V is in the position shown in Figure 8A. Ports A1 and C2 are in fluidic communication through rotating members 3 and 4 and the common channel DO; and ports A2 and B2 are in fluidic communication through the second member 4. Ports B1 and C1 are closed by the first member 3. The check valve Cp blocks the fluid outlet from the channel DO through port D. Valve V1 is in a position where its ports a and b are open and port c is closed. Pumps P2 and P3 are activated and pump P1 is deactivated. In this configuration, the first circuit PC1 heats the passenger compartment by means of the heat exchanger 92 in which a heat transfer fluid circulates, heated by the heating element 94. And the batteries 91 are heated by a heat transfer fluid circulating through the engine 90, in the second circuit PC2.

[0066] In Figure 10C, valve V is in the position shown in Figure 8H. Ports D and A2 are in fluidic communication through the second component 4; and the Ports B2 and C2 are in fluidic communication through the second component. Ports A1, B1, and C1 are closed by the first component 3. The check valve Cp allows fluid to enter through port D. Valve V1 is in a position where its ports a and c are open and port b is closed. Pumps P1 and P3 are activated, and pump P2 is deactivated. In this configuration, a single circuit PC2 is formed. The motor 90 and the batteries 91 are cooled by a cooling fluid circulating through the cooler 93.

[0067] It will be understood that other modes of operation can be envisaged with other fluid circulation circuits.

[0068] It should also be noted that pumps P1, P2, P3, valve V1, and check valve Cp form fluid circulation control devices that allow or block fluid flow to and from one or more ports in the first and / or second series. Other control devices can be installed in the first circuit PC1 and / or the second circuit PC2 as needed.

[0069] The arrangement of the various elements and / or means and / or steps of the invention, in the embodiments described above, should not be understood as requiring such an arrangement in all implementations. In any event, it will be understood that various modifications may be made to these elements and / or means and / or steps without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. In particular: - The body 1 is not necessarily monobloc, the bottom wall 11 may for example be added. - The valve may have more adjacent housings, for example three, four or five housings located in the same plane, each of said floors being associated with a rotating element. - The common channel or conduit DO is not necessarily arranged according to the median plane of body 1 and can be made elsewhere in wall 10. - Openings A1 and / or B1 and / or C1 and / or A2 and / or B2 and / or 02 and / or D are not necessarily located on the side wall 10. They may, for example, be located on the back wall 11 and / or at the level of the cover 6 or the covers 7A, 7B. - Ports A1, B1, C1 of the first series and / or ports A2, B2, C2 of the second series are not necessarily positioned at 90° to each other. - The sealing element 5 is not necessarily a single piece but can be made of several separate parts. In addition, fluid sealing can also be achieved, for example, by seals fitted in the housings 12A, 12B and / or on the rotating parts 3, 4. - Organs 3, 4, can have other configurations, each organ being configured according to desired operating modes. The first housing 12A and / or the second housing 12B may include several rotating elements installed at distinct stages located in parallel planes. For example, the first housing 12A may include two separate first rotating elements, mounted to rotate freely about the axis of rotation Xa-Xa and installed respectively at a first stage and a second stage. The orifices A1, B1, C1 of the first series are in fluidic communication with the first and second stages, such that the first two rotating elements are suitable for controlling the fluid flow between the orifices of said first series. Alternatively or complementaryly, the second housing 12B may include two separate second rotating elements, mounted to rotate freely about the axis of rotation Xb-Xb and installed respectively at a first and second stage.The ports A2, B2, and C2 of the second series are in fluidic communication with both the first and second stages, such that the two second rotary elements are adapted to control the fluid flow between the ports of said second series. This embodiment allows for multiple flow paths through valve V and the desired operating modes.

[0070] Furthermore, one or more features described only in one embodiment can be combined with one or more other features described only in another embodiment. Similarly, one or more features described only in one embodiment can be generalized to other embodiments, even if that feature or those features are described only in combination with other features.

[0071] The use of the verb "comporter", "comprendre" or "include" and its conjugated forms does not exclude the presence of other elements or steps than those stated in a claim.

Claims

Claims

1. Multi-way valve comprising: - a single-piece valve body (1) in which a first housing (12A) and a first series of fluid inlet and / or outlet orifices (A1, B1, C1) are arranged, said orifices opening into said first housing, - a first rotary member (3) mounted to rotate in the first housing (12A) around a first axis of rotation (Xa-Xa) so that said first member takes different angular positions, said first member being adapted to control the circulation of fluid between the orifices of said first series according to said angular positions, characterized in that: - a second housing (12B) is arranged in the body (1), which second housing is adjacent to the first housing (12A) and located in the same plane as said first housing, - a second series of fluid inlet and / or outlet orifices (A2, B2, C2) is provided in the body (1), said orifices opening into the second housing (12B), - a second rotary member (4) is mounted to rotate in the second housing (12B) around a second axis of rotation (Xb-Xb) distinct from and parallel to the first axis of rotation (Xa-Xa), so that said second member takes different angular positions, said second member being adapted to control the circulation of fluid between the orifices (A2, B2, C2) of the second series according to said angular positions, - a common channel or conduit (DO) connects the first and second housings (12A, 12B), so as to allow fluid communication between said housings, - a common fluid inlet and / or outlet orifice (D) is provided in the body (1), which orifice opens on the one hand into the common channel or conduit (DO) and on the other hand onto an external surface of said body.

2. Multi-way valve according to claim 1, in which a first actuator (8A) ensures the rotation of the first rotary member (3) and a second actuator (8B), separate from said first actuator, ensures the rotation of the second rotary member (4).

3. Multi-way valve according to claim 1, in which a common actuator ensures the simultaneous rotation of the first rotary member (3) and the second rotary member (4), through a device of gears or pinions engaged with said members.

4. Multi-way valve according to one of the preceding claims, in which the first rotary member (3) is configured so as to have angular positions allowing circulation of fluid between at least two orifices (A1, B1, C1) of the first series and / or between at least one orifice of said first series and the common channel or conduit (DO).

5. Multi-way valve according to one of the preceding claims, in which the second rotary member (4) is configured so as to have angular positions allowing circulation of fluid between at least two orifices (A2, B2, C2) of the second series and / or between at least one orifice of said second series and the common channel or conduit (DO).

6. Multi-way valve according to one of the preceding claims, in which the first rotary member (3) has a central cavity (31) surrounded by a partition (33), said partition comprising two first adjacent openings distributed over 60°, a first solid portion covering 30°, two second adjacent openings distributed over 60°, a second solid portion covering 30°, a third opening distributed over 30°, a solid portion covering 150° and located between the third opening and the first openings, which openings (331) are complementary to the orifices (A1, B1, C1) of the first series and of the common channel or conduit (DO).

7. Multi-way valve according to one of the preceding claims, in which the second rotary member (4) has two separate cavities (41, 42) without fluid communication between said cavities, which cavities are surrounded by a partition (43), said partition comprising four openings (431, 432) offset by 90° complementary to the orifices (A2, B2, C2) of the second series and of the common channel or conduit (DO), two openings (431) being arranged at the level of the first cavity (41) and two openings (432) being arranged at the level of the second cavity (42).

8. Multi-way valve according to one of the preceding claims, in which a sealing element (5) is installed in the common channel or conduit (DO) and in the housings (12A, 12B), between the valve body (1) and the rotary members (3, 4), which sealing element has first openings (AO1, BO1, CO1) complementary to the orifices (A1, B1, C1) of the first series and second openings (AO2, BO2, CO2) complementary to the orifices (A2, B2, C2) of the second series so as to form a fluid seal between on the one hand the first rotary member (3) and the orifices (A1, B1, C1) of said first series and on the other hand between the second rotary member (4) and the orifices (A2, B2, C2) of said second series.

9. Multi-way valve according to claim 8, in which the sealing element (5) comprises a connecting portion (52) complementary to the common channel or conduit (DO), which connecting portion has two openings (DO1, DO2) opening respectively into the first housing (12A) and into the second housing (12B) so as to form a fluid seal between, on the one hand, the first rotary member (3) and said common channel or conduit and, on the other hand, between the second rotary member (4) and said common channel or conduit.

10. Multi-way valve according to one of the preceding claims taken in combination with claims 6 and 7, in which: - the central cavity (31) of the first rotary member (3) is sealed by a first sealing cover (7A) and the cavities (41, 42) of the second rotary member (4) are sealed by a second sealing cover (7b), or - the central cavity (31) of the first rotary member (3) and the cavities (41, 42) of the second rotary member (4) are sealed by a common sealing cover.

11. Multi-way valve according to one of the preceding claims taken in combination with claim 2 or with claim 3, in which the actuator(s) (8A, 8B) are fixed to a cover (6) sealingly closing the valve body (1).

12. Heat exchanger system comprising a heat exchanger (92), a first fluid circulation circuit (PC1) and a second fluid circulation circuit (PC2), characterized in that the first circuit (PC1) and the second circuit (PC2) are connected to a multi-way valve according to one of the preceding claims, orifices (A1, B1, C1) of the first series being in fluid connection with the first circuit (PC1) and orifices (A2, B2, C2) of the second series being in fluid connection with the second circuit (PC2).

13. System according to claim 12, in which the first circuit (PC1) and / or the second circuit (PC2) comprise one or more devices for regulating the circulation of the fluid (V1, P1, P2, P3, Cp), said device(s) being installed so as to block or allow the circulation of the fluid from or to one or more orifices of the first series and / or the second series.

14. Motor vehicle comprising a heat exchanger system configured to allow the cooling and / or heating of the passenger compartment of the vehicle and / or elements of said vehicle, characterized in that the heat exchanger system is in accordance with one of claims 12 or 13. |

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