Valve apparatus for controlling the inflow of a fluid
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- EP · EP
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2023-05-17
- Publication Date
- 2026-03-25
AI Technical Summary
Existing valve apparatuses for controlling fluid inflow in fan coils are structurally complex, costly, and have limited installation flexibility, leading to assembly and hydraulic sealing issues.
A simplified valve apparatus with a modular design featuring a valve body with rotating inlet, fluid inflow, and outflow portions, equipped with intercepting shutters and electrothermal controls for precise fluid management, made from lead-free technopolymer materials for improved flexibility and reduced component count.
The solution provides a structurally simple, cost-effective, and flexible valve apparatus that simplifies assembly and hydraulic sealing, allowing for adaptable installation and efficient fluid control, while adhering to environmental standards.
Smart Images
Figure IB2023055066_21112024_PF_FP_ABST
Abstract
Description
VALVE APPARATUS FOR CONTROLLING THE INFLOW OF A FLUIDBackground of the invention
[0001] The present invention relates to a valve apparatus for controlling the inflow of a fluid, in particular water, to a fan coil.Prior art
[0002] The use is known of fan coils in air / water conditioning systems.
[0003] In particular, the air is drawn from the surrounding environment inside the fan coil thanks to a fan and then filtered.
[0004] At this point, the filtered air passes through a heat exchanger where it exchanges heat with the water before being expelled.
[0005] In particular, by controlling the flow of the water (hot or cold according to the need) inside the heat exchanger it is possible to control the temperature of the air which is reintroduced into the environment.
[0006] The water flow is controlled by means of two brass valves which allow total interception of the water flow for maintenance or replacement of the fan coil.
[0007] In particular, the valves are installed in such a way as to be connected to a water supply pipe and to a water return pipe and, at the same time, to the fan coil.
[0008] Nowadays, the aforesaid valves are structurally complex and made up of a multitude of components, with high costs.
[0009] The high number of components, in detail, also entails problems both in terms of assembly and hydraulic sealing of the valves.
[0010] In addition, the aforesaid valves have limited installation flexibility.Objects of the invention
[0011] One object of the present invention is to provide a structurally simple valve apparatus.
[0012] A further object of the present invention is to provide a valve apparatus having high installation flexibility.
[0013] Another obj ect of the present invention is to offer an economically advantageous valve apparatus.Brief description of the invention
[0014] The aforesaid objects are achieved by a valve apparatus according to the first claim.Brief description of the drawings
[0015] The invention can be better understood and implemented with reference to the attached drawings which illustrate an exemplifying and non-limiting embodiment thereof, in which:Fig. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a valve apparatus according to the invention;Fig. 2 is a perspective view, from another angle, of the valve apparatus of Fig. 1 with added elements;Fig. 3 is a front view of the valve apparatus of Fig. 1;Fig. 4 is an enlarged vertical section view, according to the line IV-IV of Fig. 3, of the valve apparatus of Fig. 1 in an operating situation;Fig. 4a is an enlarged detail view of Figure 4;Fig. 5 shows the valve apparatus of Fig. 1 in the view of Fig. 4 in a maintenance situation;Fig. 6 is a vertical section view of a further embodiment of a valve apparatus according to the invention in an operating situation;Fig.7 shows the further embodiment of the valve apparatus of Fig. 6 in a maintenance situation;Fig. 8 is a vertical section view of another embodiment of a valve apparatus according to the invention connected to respective pipes, shown by dashed lines, of a conditioning system, in a maintenance situation;Fig. 9 is a front view of a further embodiment of a valve apparatus according to the invention; Fig. 10 is a vertical section view of the valve apparatus of Fig. 9, according to the line X-X, in an operating situation;Fig. 10a is an enlarged detail view of an upper part of Fig. 10;Fig. 10b is an enlarged detail view of a lower part of Fig. 10;Fig. 11 shows the valve apparatus of Fig. 9 in the view of Fig. 10 in another operating situation.Detailed description of the invention
[0016] The valve apparatus illustrated for controlling the inflow of a fluid, in particular water, to a fan coil, generally indicated by 10, is intended to be installed along an air / water conditioning system.
[0017] The valve apparatus 10 has a valve body 11 which extends along a longitudinalaxis L.
[0018] In particular, the valve body 11 includes an inlet portion 12, a fluid inflow portion 15, an outlet portion 19 and a fluid outflow portion 22.
[0019] With reference to Fig. 8, the inlet portion 12 is provided with an inlet opening 13 suitable for putting into fluid communication the inlet portion 12 and a delivery pipe 14 of the conditioning system.
[0020] The fluid inflow portion 15, on the other hand, is provided with a fluid inflow opening 16 suitable for putting into fluid communication the fluid inflow portion 15 and an inlet pipe 17 of the fan coil.
[0021] The outlet portion 19 and the fluid outflow portion 22 also have respective outlet openings 20 and fluid outflow openings 23.
[0022] The first is suitable for putting into fluid communication the outlet portion 19 and a return pipe 21 of the conditioning system while the second is suitable for placing into fluid communication the fluid outflow portion 22 and an outlet pipe 25 of the fan coil.
[0023] As shown in Figs 4-8 and 10, the fluid inflow portion 15 communicates with the inlet opening 13 through a series of windows 52, only one of which is visible in the Figures, formed annularly in the fluid inflow portion 15, and likewise the fluid outflow portion 22 communicates with the outlet opening 20 through a series of windows 53, only one of which is visible in the Figures, formed annularly in the fluid outflow portion 22.
[0024] The fluid inflow portion 15 includes an inflow intercepting device 18.
[0025] In detail, the inflow controlling device 18 includes an inflow intercepting shutter 30 movable along the longitudinal axis L between an inflow cut-off position PBI, in which it prevents the passage of the fluid through the fluid inflow opening 16, and a fluid inflow position PI, in which, instead, it allows the fluid to pass through the fluid inflow opening 16.
[0026] In particular, with reference to the embodiment shown in Figs 9-11, the inflow intercepting shutter 30 is fixed to an inflow intercepting rod 31 which is coupled with an inflow intercepting knob 32 so as to convert a rotation of the inflow intercepting knob 32 around the longitudinal axis L into a rectilinear movement of the inflow intercepting rod 31, and therefore of the inflow intercepting shutter 30, along the longitudinal axis L.
[0027] In particular, in the exemplifying and non-limiting embodiment of the appended Figures, the inflow intercepting device 18 is an inflow controlling device suitable for controlling the flow rate of the fluid towards the fan coil. Hereinafter, the inflow interceptingdevice 18 will therefore be renamed inflow controlling device 18 and accordingly also the inflow intercepting shutter 30, the inflow intercepting rod 31 and the inflow intercepting knob 32 will be renamed respectively controlling shutter 30, controlling rod 31 and inflow controlling knob 32.
[0028] In the aforesaid exemplifying embodiment, an elastic stop ring 47 is fitted to the controlling rod 31, on which ring a respective spring 48 acts, arranged in tension inside a respective housing 49 fitted in the valve body 11. Being an end of the controlling rod 31 in contact with a portion 50 of the inflow controlling knob 32, in use, a rotational movement of the inflow controlling knob 32 is converted into a rectilinear movement of the controlling rod 31 along the longitudinal axis L.
[0029] On the other end, in the embodiments shown in Figs 1-8, the inflow controlling knob 32 is replaced by an electrothermal control 34 which controls the rectilinear movement of the controlling rod 31, and therefore of the controlling shutter 30, as a function of an electric signal which can come from a thermostat, from a timer, or from a chronothermostat.
[0030] Also the outlet portion 19 includes an outflow intercepting device 24 to allow or interrupt the flow of the fluid exiting the valve apparatus 10, similar to the inflow controlling device 18.
[0031] In detail, the outflow intercepting device 24 includes an outflow intercepting shutter 27 movable along the longitudinal axis L between an outflow cut-off position PBU, in which it interrupts the flow of the fluid through the outlet opening 20, and an outlet position PU, in which instead it allows the fluid to pass through the outlet opening 20.
[0032] In particular, the outflow intercepting stopper 27 is fixed to an outflow intercepting rod 28 coupled to an outflow intercepting knob 29 so as to convert a rotation of the outflow intercepting knob 29 around the longitudinal axis L in a rectilinear movement of the outflow intercepting rod 28, and thus of the outflow intercepting stopper 27, along the longitudinal axis L.
[0033] Even more in detail, as visible in Figs 4-8, 10, 4a, 10a and 10b, an elastic stop ring 43 is fitted to the outflow intercepting rod 28, on which ring a spring 44 acts which is tensioned inside a special housing 45 mounted in the valve body 11. The outflow intercepting knob 29 is provided with an abutment protrusion 46 which, in use, contacting the outflow intercepting rod 28, converts a rotational movement of the outflow intercepting knob 29 into a rectilinear movement of the outflow intercepting rod 28 along the longitudinal axis L.
[0034] The valve apparatus 10, moreover, includes separating elements 26; 35; 37 for separating the fluid inlet and inflow portions 12, 15 from the fluid outlet and outflow portions 19, 22.
[0035] In the embodiment of Fig. 8, the separating elements include a wall 26. In this embodiment, therefore, the valve apparatus 10 is a two-way valve.
[0036] Differently, in the embodiment of Figs 6 and 7, the separating elements include a shutter 35 fixed to the controlling rod 31 and, therefore, movable along the longitudinal axis L.
[0037] In detail, as shown in Fig. 6, the shutter 35 separates the inlet portion 12 and the fluid inflow portion 15 from the outlet portion 19 and from the fluid outflow portion 22 when the controlling shutter 30 occupies the fluid inflow position PI whereas, with reference to Fig. 7, the shutter 35 puts the fluid inlet and inflow portions 12, 15 and the fluid outlet and outflow portions 19, 22 into fluid communication when the controlling shutter 30 occupies the inflow cut-off position PBI. In this embodiment, therefore, the valve apparatus 10 is a three-way valve.
[0038] In conclusion, the shutter element 35 manages the fluid flow between the inlet opening 13 and the outlet opening 20 to mean that it separates or puts in total or partial communication the fluid inlet and inflow portions 12, 15 and the fluid outlet and outflow portions 19, 22.
[0039] In the embodiments shown in Figs 1-5, 9-11, the separating elements include elements of a retaining device 37.
[0040] In particular, the retaining device 37 includes a sleeve element 38 locked in position in the valve body 11 and inside which a shutter element 39 slides along the longitudinal axis L; the latter, in detail, is coupled to a spring 40, in turn housed inside the sleeve element 38, which is configured so as to exert a force on the shutter element 39 along the longitudinal axis L.
[0041] The shutter element 39, moreover, is fixed to a respective rod 42 which abuts on the controlling rod 31.
[0042] As shown in Fig.4, therefore, the shutter element 39 separates the fluid inlet and inflow portions 12, 15 and the fluid outlet and outflow portions 19, 22 when the controlling shutter 30 occupies the fluid inflow position PI. In detail, the shutter element 39 is kept in position by the action of the spring 40.
[0043] On the other hand, with reference to Fig. 5, the shutter element 39 puts into fluid communication the fluid inlet and inflow portions 12, 15 and the fluid outlet and outflow portions 19, 22 when the controlling shutter 30 occupies the inflow cut-off position PBI.
[0044] In particular, in the inflow cut-off position PBI, the action exerted by the controlling rod 31 on the respective rod 42, to which the shutter element 39 is fixed, overcomes the action exerted by the spring 40. Also in this embodiment, therefore, the valve apparatus 10 is a three-way valve.
[0045] In short, the shutter element 39 manages the fluid flow between the inlet opening 13 and the outlet opening 20 in the sense that it separates or puts into total or partial communication the fluid inlet and inflow portions 12, 15 and the fluid outlet and outflow portions 19, 22.
[0046] In the embodiment of the appended Figures, the inlet portions, fluid inflow portions, fluid outlet and outflow portions 12, 15, 19, 22 are sealingly mounted in the valve body 11 in a freely rotatable manner around the longitudinal axis L independently of each other to be oriented by rotation according to predetermined operative connecting positions.
[0047] In particular, the inlet portions, fluid inflow portions, fluid outlet and outflow portions 12, 15, 19, 22 are freely rotatable in a continuous manner around the longitudinal axis L, i.e. they are freely rotatable in a continuous manner between 0 and 360 degrees around the longitudinal axis L.
[0048] As shown by way of example in Fig. 4 and in the relative detail (see Fig. 4a), the seal between the inlet portions, fluid inflow portions, fluid outlet and outflow portions 12, 15, 19, 22 is made by means of a sealing ring 54 housed in corresponding seats 55 obtained in the fluid inflow portion 15 and in the outlet portion 19.
[0049] In the embodiment of the appended Figures, the valve body 11 is modular.
[0050] In particular, the valve body 11 includes an openable sleeve portion 51 which, once tightened, keeps the inlet portions, fluid inflow portions, fluid outlet and outflow portions 12, 15, 19, 22 in position and at the same time allows them to rotate freely and independently of each other around the longitudinal axis L.
[0051] Even more in particular, as can be seen in Figs 4-8 and 10, the sleeve portion 51 has annular recesses and protrusions which mate respectively with annular protrusions and annular recesses of the inlet portions, fluid inflow portions, fluid outlet and outflow portions 12, 15, 19, 22 so as to constrain the inlet portions, fluid inflow portions, fluid outlet andoutflow portions 12, 15, 19, 22 along the longitudinal axis L but allow them to rotate around it.
[0052] In detail, the valve body 11 is made of technopolymer. In this way, the valve apparatus 10 will be in compliance with future European standards which will impose, for hydraulic valves, a lead-free material which is normally contained in the common brass alloys used for hydraulic valves.
[0053] Furthermore, the valve apparatus 10 may be provided with pipe connecting portions 41, as shown in in Fig. 2, which can be releasable coupled to the fluid inlet, fluid inflow, outlet and outflow openings 13, 16, 20, 23 for connecting, respectively, to the delivery, inlet, return and outlet pipes 14, 17, 21, 25.
[0054] The operation of the valve apparatus 10 and in particular, of the different embodiments will be described below.
[0055] Let us first consider the embodiment of Fig.8, i.e. the embodiment in which the valve apparatus 10 is a two-way valve.
[0056] During operation of the fan coil, the controlling shutter 30 allows the fluid to flow through the fluid inflow opening 16 and the outflow intercepting shutter 27 occupies the outlet position PU.
[0057] In particular, on the basis of the electric signal received, the position of the controlling shutter 30 is controlled by the electrothermal control 34 between the fluid inflow position PI and the inflow cut-off position PBI so as to control the fluid inflow inside the fan coil.
[0058] The fluid then passes from the delivery pipe 14 inside the valve apparatus 10 going through the inlet opening 13 and then going beyond the fluid inflow opening 16 and flowing inside the inlet pipe 17 of the fan coil.
[0059] After flowing through the fan coil, the fluid passes through the outlet pipe 25 inside the valve apparatus 10, and in particular inside the outlet portion 19, going through the fluid outflow opening 23 and then going beyond the outlet opening 20 and flowing inside the return pipe 21.
[0060] In the event of having to carry out maintenance operations on the fan coil, i.e. in the event that it is necessary to separate the conditioning system from the fan coil, the fluid flow inside the delivery pipe 14 is interrupted and the electrothermal control 34 will position the controlling shutter 30 in the inflow cut-off position PBI and, similarly, the outflow cut-off shutter 27 is positioned in the outflow cut-off position PBU by rotating the outflow interception knob 29.
[0061] Consideration is now made to the embodiments of Figs 1-7 and 10, i.e. the embodiments in which the valve apparatus is a three-way valve.
[0062] In particular, consideration is first made to the embodiment of Figs 1-5.
[0063] During operation of the fan coil, similarly to the embodiment of Fig. 8, the controlling shutter 30 allows the fluid to flow through the fluid inflow opening 16 and the outflow intercepting shutter 27 occupies the outlet position PU.
[0064] In particular, on the basis of the electric signal received, the position of the controlling shutter 30 is controlled by the electrothermal control 34 between the fluid inflow position PI and the inflow cut-off position PBI so as to control the fluid inflow inside the fan coil.
[0065] Unlike the previously disclosed embodiment, the valve apparatus 10 of Figs 1-5 includes the retaining device 37 which, during operation of the fan coil, separates the fluid inlet and inflow portions 12, 15 from the fluid outlet and outflow portions 19, 22.
[0066] The fluid, as in the two-way embodiment, passes from the delivery pipe 14 inside the valve apparatus 10 by going through the inlet opening 13 and then going beyond the fluid inflow opening 16 and flowing inside the inlet pipe 17 of the fan coil.
[0067] After flowing through the fan coil, the fluid passes through the outlet pipe 25 inside the valve apparatus 10, and in particular inside the outlet portion 19, going through the fluid outflow opening 23 and then going beyond the outlet opening 20 and flowing inside the return pipe 21.
[0068] In the event of having to carry out maintenance operation on the fan coil, i.e. in the event that it is necessary to separate the conditioning system from the fan coil, the fluid flow inside the delivery pipe 14 is interrupted and the electrothermal control 34 positions the controlling shutter 30 in the inflow cut-off position PBI and, therefore, also moves the shutter element 39, due to the contact seen above between the controlling rod 31 and the rod 32, so as to put into fluid communication the fluid inlet and inflow portions 12, 15 and the fluid outlet and outflow portions 19, 22.
[0069] The outflow intercepting shutter 27 is then positioned in the outflow cut-off position PBU by rotating the outflow intercepting knob 29.
[0070] In this embodiment, therefore, it is possible to divert the flow of fluid enteringthe valve device 10 directly to the outlet opening 20; in this manner, after interrupting the fluid flow inside the delivery pipe 14, it is possible to position the controlling shutter 30 in the inflow cut-off position PBI leaving the outflow intercepting shutter 27 in the outlet position PU and then emptying the delivery pipe 14 before closing the outlet opening 20.
[0071] The embodiments of Figs 6, 7, 9-11, differ structurally from the one just described but operate in a similar manner.
[0072] The embodiment of Figs 9-11, differs from the one just described in that it includes an inflow controlling knob 32 in place of the electrothermal control 34.
[0073] The control of the position of the intercepting shutter 30, in this case, is carried out by rotating the inflow controlling knob 32.
[0074] Otherwise, the embodiment of Figs 6 and 7 includes, instead of the retaining device 37, the shutter 35 fixed to the controlling rod 31.
[0075] In this case, therefore, the movement of the shutter 35 is integral with that of the controlling shutter 30.
[0076] Finally, considering the embodiments of Figs 1-5, 9-11, and in particular with reference to Fig. 11, it should be noted that in the event of a high pressure differential inside the valve apparatus 10, i.e. in the event in which the pressure inside the fluid inlet and inflow portions 12, 15 is much greater than the pressure inside the fluid outlet and outflow portions 19, 22, the pressure difference translates into a resulting force on the shutter element 39 such as to compress the spring 40 and, consequently, to put into fluid communication the fluid inlet and inflow portions 12, 15 and the fluid outlet and outflow portions 19, 22, so as to decrease the pressure differential to avoid dangerous pressure differential excesses in the fan coil.
[0077] From what has been described above, the valve apparatus 10 achieves all the intended objects, overcoming the drawbacks of the prior art.
[0078] The valve apparatus is structurally simple.
[0079] In particular, the number of components is limited, simplifying the assembly and the hydraulic seal of the valve apparatus.
[0080] Furthermore, the valve apparatus is provided with high installation flexibility.
[0081] In detail, the inlet portions, fluid inflow portions, fluid outlet and outflow portions can be oriented in a freely rotatable manner around the longitudinal axis independently of each other.
[0082] In this way, it is possible to direct by rotation the inlet openings, fluid inflow portions, fluid outlet and outflow portions so as to adapt to the various connecting positions that may occur during installation of the valve apparatus.
[0083] Furthermore, it is possible to couple the pipe connecting portions with the valve apparatus so as to further increase the installation flexibility of the valve apparatus.
[0084] The valve apparatus is also economically advantageous.
[0085] As anticipated, in fact, the assembly of the valve apparatus is simple, thus speeding up production and reducing costs thereof.
[0086] Furthermore, the valve apparatus described above is made of technopolymer, a cheap material easy to handle and not containing Pb.
[0087] Variations in the configuration of the components with respect to what has been described above and illustrated in the attached drawings are possible.
Claims
CLAIMS1. Valve apparatus (10) for controlling the inflow of a fluid to a fan coil, comprising a valve body (11) extending along a longitudinal axis (L), wherein said valve body (11) comprises an inlet portion (12) provided with an inlet opening (13) suitable for putting into fluid communication said inlet portion (12) and a delivery pipe (14) of a conditioning system, and a fluid inflow portion (15) communicating with said inlet opening (13), provided with a fluid inflow opening (16) suitable for putting into fluid communication said fluid inflow portion (15) and an inlet pipe (17) of said fan coil, wherein said fluid inflow portion (15) further comprises an inflow intercepting device (18) for controlling the fluid flow rate towards said fan coil, wherein said valve body (11) further comprises an outlet portion (19), provided with an outlet opening (20) suitable for putting into fluid communication said outlet portion (19) and a return pipe (21) of said conditioning system, and a fluid outflow portion (22) communicating with said outlet opening (20), provided with a fluid outflow opening (23) suitable for putting into fluid communication said outlet portion (19) and an outlet pipe (25) of said fan coil, wherein said outlet portion (19) further comprises an outflow intercepting device (24) to allow or interrupt the fluid flow exiting said valve apparatus (10), and wherein one or more separating elements (26; 35; 37) are provided for separating said inlet portion (12) and said fluid inflow portion (15) from said outlet portion (19) and said fluid outflow portion (22), wherein said inlet portions, fluid inflow portions, fluid outlet and outflow portions (12, 15, 19, 22) are sealingly mounted in a freely rotatable manner in said valve body (11) around said longitudinal axis (L) independently of each other to be oriented by rotation according to predetermined operating connecting positions.
2. Valve apparatus (10) according to claim 1, wherein said inflow intercepting device (18) comprises an inflow intercepting shutter (30) movable along said longitudinal axis (L) between an inflow cut-off position (PBI) in which it prevents the passage of the fluid through said fluid inflow opening (16) and an inflow position (PI) in which, instead, it allows the fluid to pass through said fluid inflow opening (16), said inflow intercepting shutter (30) being fixed to an inflow intercepting rod (31) coupled to an inflow intercepting knob (32) so as to convert a rotation of said inflow intercepting knob (33) around said longitudinal axis (L) in a rectilinear movement of said inflow intercepting rod (31), and therefore of said inflow intercepting shutter (30), along said axis (L).
3. Valve apparatus (10) according to claim 1, wherein said inflow intercepting device (18) comprises an inflow intercepting shutter (30) movable along said longitudinal axis (L) between an inflow cut-off position (PBI) in which it prevents the passage of the fluid through said fluid inflow opening (16) and an inflow position (PI) in which, instead, it allows the fluid to pass through said fluid inflow opening (16), said inflow intercepting shutter (30) being fixed to an inflow intercepting rod (31) coupled to an electrothermal control (34) which controls the rectilinear movement of said inflow intercepting rod (31), and therefore of said inflow intercepting shutter (30), along said axis (L) as a function of an electric signal.
4. Valve apparatus (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said outflow intercepting device (24) comprises an outflow intercepting stopper (27) movable along said longitudinal axis (L) between an outflow cut-off position (PBU) in which it interrupts the fluid flow through said outlet opening (20) and an outlet position (PU) in which it enables the fluid to pass through said outlet opening (20), said outflow intercepting shutter (27) being fixed to an outflow intercepting rod (28) coupled with an outflow intercepting knob (29) so as to convert a rotation of said outflow intercepting knob (29) around said longitudinal axis (L) into a rectilinear movement of said outflow intercepting rod (28), and therefore of said outflow intercepting shutter (27), along said axis (L).
5. Valve apparatus (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said separating elements (26; 35; 37) comprise a wall (26).
6. Valve apparatus (10) according to any one of claims 2 to 4, when claim 4 depends on claim 2 or 3, wherein said separating elements (26; 35; 37) comprise a shutter (35) fixed to said inflow intercepting rod (31) and therefore movable along said longitudinal axis (L), said shutter (35) separating said inlet portion (12) and said fluid inflow portion (15) from said outlet portion (19) and from said fluid outflow portion (23) in said inflow position (PI), and putting into fluid communication said inlet portion (12) and said fluid inflow portion (15) with said outlet portion (19) and with said fluid outflow portion (23) in said inflow cut-off position (PBI).
7. Valve apparatus (10) according to any one of claims 2 to 4, when claim 4 depends on claim 2 or 3, wherein said separating elements (26; 35; 37) comprise a sleeve body (38) locked in position in said valve body (11) and inside which a shutter element (39) coupled with a spring (40) can slide along said longitudinal axis (L), which spring(40) in turn is housed inside said sleeve body (38) and is configured so as to exert a force on said shutter element (39) along said longitudinal axis (L), said shutter element (39) being furthermore fixed to a respective rod (42), wherein said shutter element (39) separates said inlet portion (12) and said fluid inflow portion (15) from said outlet portion (19) and from said fluid outflow portion (23) in said inflow position (PI), said shutter element (39) being held in position by the action of said spring (40), and puts into fluid communication said inlet portion (12) and said fluid inflow portion (15) with said outlet portion (19) and with said fluid outflow portion (23) in said inflow cut-off position (PBI), said respective rod (42) abutting on said inflow cut-off rod (31) in said inflow cut-off position (PBI) and the action exerted by said inflow intercepting rod (31) on said respective rod (42) overcoming the action exerted by said spring (40).
8. Valve apparatus (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said valve body (11) is modular.
9. Valve apparatus (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said inlet portions, fluid inflow portions, fluid outlet and outflow portions (12, 15, 19, 22) are freely rotatable in a continuous manner around said longitudinal axis (L), i.e. in which said inlet portions, fluid inflow portions, fluid outlet and outflow portions (12, 15, 19, 22) are freely rotatable in a continuous manner between 0 and 360 degrees around said longitudinal axis (L).
10. Valve apparatus (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said valve body (11) is made of technopolymer.
11. Valve apparatus (10) according to any one of the preceding claims comprising pipe connecting portions (41) releasably coupled to said inlet, fluid inflow, outlet and fluid outflow openings (13, 16, 20, 23) for connection, respectively, to said delivery, inlet, return and outlet pipes (14, 17, 21, 25).