Four-way hydraulic valve.

Abstract

The present invention relates to a four-way hydraulic valve (1). This valve is remarkable in that it comprises: - a body (2) provided with four connections (24a, 24b, 24c, 24d) and a chamber (20), each connection (24a, 24b, 24c, 24d) opening into the chamber (20) through a port (210a, 210b, 210c, 210d), - a rotary valve support (4), mounted inside the chamber (20), this support (4) supporting two valves (5), mounted on a spring (6), so that each spring (6) permanently tends to move the valve (5) away from the support (4) and to press the radially external face (52) of the valve (5) against the internal face (211) of the side wall (21) of the chamber (20), the rotary valve support (4) being able to rotate so that to occupy different positions in which the valves (5) close two of the four ports (210a, 210b, 210c, 210d) of the chamber (20). Application to heating installations. Figure for the abstract: Fig. 1.

Description

Title of the invention: Four-way hydraulic valve. FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to a four-way hydraulic valve, which has improved sealing. This valve finds a particular possible application in a hybrid heating installation, equipped with a boiler and a heat pump. STATE OF THE ART

[0002] A four-way valve, known as a "ball valve", is already known in the state of the art, which comprises a body, internally provided with a cylindrical or spherical bore into which four ways open.

[0003] A cylindrical or spherical valve, pierced with a recess, is mounted in the bore of the body and can be moved in rotation to connect certain paths.

[0004] This type of valve can present sealing problems between the valve and the bore, due to the friction of these parts between them and their wear over time. Presentation of the invention

[0005] An object of the invention is to provide a four-way valve which is perfectly watertight even after prolonged use, in other words a valve which makes it possible to compensate for any wear play between the parts. Another object of the invention is also to provide such a valve which is simple to produce and assemble and which is inexpensive to produce.

[0006] For this purpose, the invention relates to a four-way hydraulic valve.

[0007] According to the invention, this valve comprises:

[0008] - a body, provided with four connections and which comprises a chamber, preferably cy lindrique, delimited by a side wall and a bottom, this chamber having an opening and a longitudinal central axis X-X', each connection opening into the chamber through a light, these four lights being distributed uniformly on the periphery of the side wall,

[0009] - a cover fixed on the body to close the opening of said chamber,

[0010] - a rotary valve support, provided with an operating axis, this valve support being mounted inside the chamber so that its operating axis passes through the cover or the bottom and is coaxial with the longitudinal axis X-X', this valve support supporting two valves, mounted on a spring so that each spring permanently tends to move the valve away from the valve support and to press the radially external face of the valve in a sealed manner against the internal face of the side wall of the bedroom,

[0011] the rotary valve support being rotatable by the operating axis so as to pivot around an axis of rotation Xl-X' 1 coaxial with the longitudinal axis X-X' of the chamber, and to occupy different positions in which the valves close two of the four ports of the chamber.

[0012] Thanks to these characteristics of the invention, the pressure exerted by the spring tends to permanently press the outer face of the valve against the inner face of the side wall of the chamber, so that the valve is perfectly in contact with this inner face or is perfectly in contact with the light in front of which it is located, which guarantees the sealing of the valve, even during rotation of the valve support. In addition, this mounting of the valves on spring allows for play compensation, even in the event of wear of the parts.

[0013] In other words, there are no leaks and the circulation of liquid through the valve is exclusively between the paths that have been selected.

[0014] According to other advantageous and non-limiting characteristics of the invention, taken alone or in combination:

[0015] - the valve support comprises two side walls joined by a plate of so-called “upper” junction, arranged opposite the cover and / or joined by a so-called “lower” junction plate, arranged opposite the bottom of the body, and these two side walls are arranged symmetrically on either side of a plane of symmetry including the axis of rotation.

[0016] - each valve comprises a nipple projecting from its radially internal face, each side wall of the valve support has an orifice for receiving this stud, and the spring is interposed between the radially external face of the side wall and the radially internal face of the valve and is arranged around said stud, so that the stud can slide axially in the orifice along an axis perpendicular to the axis of rotation.

[0017] - the spring is a leaf spring, which comprises a curved leaf provided with a part central plane pierced with a central orifice, this curved blade being arranged so that its central plane part is in contact with the radially external face of the side wall of the valve support, that the nipple of the valve is received in this central orifice, that the concavity of the curved blade is oriented towards the radially internal face of the valve and that the valve has two lateral edges for retaining the respective lateral edges of the curved blade.

[0018] - the two side walls form an angle of 45 degrees between them, the support of valves comprises said upper junction plate, the latter comprises a stop, called "upper stop", the cover has on its internal face a stop, called "cover stop" and the upper stop can cooperate by contact with the cover stop for limiting the rotation of the valve support to an angular travel of 90 degrees, so that the valve support can occupy a first extreme position PI, in which the two valves close two diametrically opposed ports and a third extreme position P3, in which the two valves close the other two diametrically opposed ports and the valve support can occupy a second intermediate position P2, halfway between the two extreme positions PI and P3, in which the two valves close two successive ports.

[0019] - the edge of the upper joining plate which extends between the two walls lateral at the point where they are furthest from each other comprises a first panel and a second panel together forming said upper stop, this first panel and this second panel forming between them an angle of 225 degrees or substantially 225 degrees, the cover stop comprises a first flank and a second flank which form between them an angle of 225 degrees or substantially 225 degrees, so that when the first panel is in contact with the first flank, the valve support is in the first extreme position PI and when the second panel is in contact with the second flank, the valve support is in the third extreme position P3.

[0020] - the two side walls form an angle of 45 degrees between them, the support of valves comprises said lower junction plate, the latter comprises a stop, called "lower stop", the bottom of the body has on its internal face a stop, called "bottom stop" and in that the lower stop can cooperate by contact with the bottom stop to limit the rotation of the valve support to an angular travel of 90 degrees, so that the valve support can occupy a first extreme position PI, in which the two valves close two diametrically opposed ports and a third extreme position P3, in which the two valves close the other two diametrically opposed ports and the valve support can occupy a second intermediate position P2, halfway between the two extreme positions PI and P3, in which the two valves close two successive ports.

[0021] - the edge of the lower junction plate of the valve support which extends between the two side walls at the point where they are furthest from each other comprise a first panel and a second panel together forming said lower stop, this first panel and this second panel forming between them an angle of 225 degrees or substantially 225 degrees, the bottom stop comprises a first flank and a second flank which form between them an angle of 225 degrees or substantially 225 degrees, so that when the first panel is in contact with the first flank, the valve support is in the first extreme position PI and when the second panel is in contact with the second flank, the valve support is in the third extreme position P3.

[0022] - the valve support comprises said upper junction plate and said plate lower junction and has the shape of a cage, the operating axis extends from the upper junction plate, perpendicular to it, the lower junction plate comprises a pin which projects towards the outside of the valve support and which extends in the axial extension of the operating axis, and the bottom of the body comprises on its internal face a housing for receiving said pin.

[0023] - the operating axis is driven in rotation by a control device, such as than a manual control lever or an electric or pneumatic or hydraulic micro-motor, fixed to the end of the operating axis which projects from the body.

[0024] - the body, the cover and the valves are made of composite plastic material or made of metal or ceramic and / or in that the valve support is made of composite plastic or metal. DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES

[0025] Other characteristics, aims and advantages of the invention will emerge from the following description, which is purely illustrative and non-limiting, and which must be read in conjunction with the appended drawings in which:

[0026] [Fig. 1] is an exploded perspective view of a possible embodiment of the four-way hydraulic valve according to the invention.

[0027] [Fig.2] is a perspective view of the valve support.

[0028] [Fig. 3] is a perspective view of the valve support, from a viewing angle different from that of [Fig.2].

[0029] [Fig.4] is a perspective view of one embodiment of the spring.

[0030] [Fig.5] is a perspective view of the valve cover of [Fig.l].

[0031] [Fig.6] is a perspective view of the valve body of [Fig.l].

[0032] [Fig.7] is a diagram of certain parts of the valve of [Fig.l] shown in the first position, the cover being partially represented.

[0033] [Fig.8] is a diagram of certain parts of the valve of [Fig.l] shown in the second position, the cover being partially shown.

[0034] [Fig.9] is a perspective view of the valve of [Fig.l] in the third position.

[0035] [Fig. 10] is a diagram showing the valve according to the invention in the first position.

[0036] [Fig. 11] is a diagram showing the valve according to the invention in the second position.

[0037] [Fig. 12] is a diagram showing the valve according to the invention in the third position.

[0038] [Fig. 13] is an exploded perspective view of another possible embodiment of the valve according to the invention, in which only certain elements have been shown.

[0039] [Fig. 14] is a diagram of a heating installation including the valve according to the invention, the latter being shown in the first position.

[0040] [Fig. 15] is a diagram of a heating installation including the valve according to the invention, the latter being shown in the second position.

[0041] [Fig. 16] is a diagram of a heating installation including the valve according to the invention, the latter being shown in the third position. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0042] Referring to [Fig.l], one can see a possible embodiment of the four-way hydraulic valve 1 according to the invention.

[0043] This valve 1 comprises a body 2, a cover 3, a valve support 4 and two valves 5.

[0044] The body 2 internally comprises a chamber 20 which is delimited by a side wall 21 and a bottom 22 (the latter being better visible in figures 6 and 13), so that it has an opening 23 which opens outwards.

[0045] This chamber 20 has a central longitudinal axis X-X' which also constitutes the central longitudinal axis of the body 2.

[0046] Preferably and as shown in the figures, the chamber 20 (and therefore its side wall 21) is cylindrical, with a central longitudinal axis X-X'. The chamber 20 could possibly have another volume of revolution and the shape of the wall 21 would be adapted accordingly.

[0047] The body 2 comprises four connections 24a, 24b, 24c and 24d, which open respectively into the chamber 20 via four ports 210a, 210b, 210c and 210d.

[0048] These four lights 210a to 210d are distributed uniformly on the periphery of the side wall 21. In other words, these four lights are arranged angularly at 90 degrees to each other.

[0049] The central axes Y-Y' of each of these four lights 210a to 210d extend in the same plane PA perpendicular to the longitudinal axis X-X'.

[0050] In the embodiment shown in the figures, these lights 210a to 210d are oblong in shape, but they could have another shape (for example circular).

[0051] The cover 3 is fixed to the body 2 so as to close the opening 23 and therefore the chamber 20, in a liquid-tight manner. This fixing can for example be carried out using screws 30, as shown in [Fig.l]. In this case, the cover 3 is pierced with orifices 31 and the body 2 with threaded orifices 25 (here for example four in number), these orifices 25 receiving the screws 30.

[0052] Advantageously, a first seal 32 can also be placed between the cover 3 and the body 2 to reinforce this seal.

[0053] The valve support 4 is rotatable and is provided with an operating axis 42. The valve support 4 is mounted in the chamber 20 so that its operating axis 42 is coaxial with the longitudinal axis X-X'. The operating axis 42 makes it possible to pivot the valve support 4 around an axis of rotation Xl-X' 1 passing through the axis 42 and coaxial with the longitudinal axis X-X'.

[0054] Preferably, the valve support 4 comprises two side walls 40, arranged symmetrically on either side of a plane of symmetry PB including the axis of rotation Xl-X' 1, (see [Fig.2]).

[0055] According to a first embodiment of the invention, shown in Figures 1 to 3, the valve support 4 has the general shape of a cage and the two side walls 40 are joined on the one hand, by a joining plate 41, called "upper" and intended to be positioned opposite the cover 3 when the support 4 is in the chamber 20, and on the other hand, by a joining plate 43, called "lower" and intended to be positioned opposite the bottom 22.

[0056] The two side walls 40 and the joining plates 41 and 43 together delimit a passage 44 through the cage, through which the fluid (for example water) can circulate freely.

[0057] According to another embodiment of the invention, the valve support 4 has the general shape of a U-shaped stirrup and the two side walls 40 are joined either solely by the upper joining plate 41, or solely by the lower joining plate 43, (see in the latter case [Fig. 13]).

[0058] According to a first embodiment of the invention shown in Figures 1 to 3, the operating axis 42 extends outwards from the upper joining plate 41, perpendicular to the latter. In this case, the cover 3 has a central hole 33 receiving the operating axis 42 when the support 4 is in the body 2. Advantageously, a second seal 34, arranged inside the cover 3, ensures sealing between the operating axis 42 and the central hole 33.

[0059] According to a second embodiment of the invention shown in [Fig. 13], the operating axis 42 extends outwards from the lower junction plate 43, perpendicular to the latter. In this case, it is the bottom 22 which is pierced with a central hole 225 receiving the operating axis 42 and a seal is advantageously arranged between the two.

[0060] In both cases, the free end of the axis 42 is accessible from outside the valve 1.

[0061] Advantageously and in order to improve the rotational guidance of the support 4, when the operating axis 42 is integral with the upper junction plate 41 and the valve support 4 has the shape of a cage, it is possible to provide a rotational guidance pin 430 which projects towards the outside of the valve support 4, from the lower junction plate 43 and which extends in the axial extension of the operating axis 42, (see [Fig.3]). In this case, the bottom 22 of the body 2 comprises on its internal face 220 a cylindrical housing 221 for receiving said pin 430, (see [Fig.6]).

[0062] The reverse is also possible, that is to say having the operating axis 42 secured to the lower junction plate 43 and having the rotation guide pin extending outwards from the upper junction plate 41. In this case, it is the cover 3 which comprises on its internal face 35 a cylindrical housing for receiving said pin.

[0063] Preferably, the rotation of the operating axis 42 and therefore of the valve support 4 is ensured by a control device, not shown in the figures.

[0064] Preferably, the operating axis 42 has at its free end, a flat 420 which allows its connection to said control device.

[0065] Such a control device is for example a manual control lever fixed to the end of the operating axis which projects from the body 2.

[0066] Such a control device can also be an electric, pneumatic or hydraulic micro-motor.

[0067] Each side wall 40 is pierced with an orifice 400. The axis Y1-Y' 1 of the orifices 400 is perpendicular to the axis of rotation Xl-X' 1.

[0068] A shut-off valve 5 is mounted to move in translation on each side wall 40. Each valve 5 comprises a radially internal face 51, preferably concave, and an opposite convex radially external face 52. In the remainder of the description and the claims, the expressions “radially internal” and “radially external” designate the orientation in a radial direction passing through the axis X-X'.

[0069] Preferably, the radially internal face 51 is provided with a stud 510. This stud 510 is preferably arranged in the center of this face 51 and perpendicular to it as well as in the center of the face 52. The stud 510 is dimensioned so as to be able to be received in the orifice 400 of the support 4 and to be able to slide axially in it. The stud 510 extends along an axis Y2-Y'2. When the stud 510 is inserted into the orifice 400, its axis Y2-Y' is coaxial with the axis Y 1-Y' 1.

[0070] The radially external face 52 of the valve 5 is configured to match the shape of the internal face 211 of the side wall 21 of the chamber 20. Consequently, when the wall 21 is cylindrical, the radially external face 52 of the valve is a surface curved in an arc of a circle with the same radius as the radius of this wall 21.

[0071] Preferably, the valve 5 has a plane of symmetry passing through the axis Y2-Y'2.

[0072] In addition, each valve 5 extends over a width and a length dimensioned so as to be greater than those of each light. Thus, when a valve 5 is located in front of a light 210a to 210d, it closes it perfectly. Finally, the valve support 4 is dimensioned and positioned axially in the chamber 20, so that the valves 5 are opposite lights 210a to 210d.

[0073] A spring 6 is inserted between each side wall 40 and a valve 5, more precisely, between the radially external face 401 of the side wall 40 and the radially internal face 51 of the valve 5 and is arranged around said stud 510.

[0074] Thus, when the valve support 4 is in place in the chamber 20, each spring 6 permanently tends to move the valve 5 away from the support 4, that is to say in a radial direction towards the outside and to press the radially external face 52 of the valve 5 in a sealed manner against the internal face 211 of the side wall 21 of the chamber 20. This makes it possible to guarantee sealing both when the valve 5 is opposite the wall 21 (no passage of liquid between the two) and when it is opposite a light 210a to 210d which it perfectly closes.

[0075] Preferably, the spring 6 is a leaf spring, which appears better in [Fig. 4]. This spring comprises a curved leaf 60 having a flat central part 61, extended on either side by two inclined lateral parts 62, so as to define the curvature of the leaf. The flat central part 61 is pierced with a central orifice 610. Furthermore, each lateral part 62 is extended by a lateral edge 63 folded in the direction opposite to the concavity of the leaf 60.

[0076] The curved blade 60 is arranged so that its flat central part 61 is in contact with and rests against the radially external face 401 of the side wall 40 of the valve support 4, that the stud 510 of the valve 5 passes through the central orifice 610 and that the concavity of the curved blade 60 is oriented towards the radially internal face 51 of the valve 5. In addition, the valve 5 has two lateral edges 53 (see figures 10 and 11) which have the function of retaining the respective lateral edges 63 of the curved blade 60.

[0077] This form of spring is advantageous in that it makes it possible to properly fix the relative position of the spring 6 with respect to the valve 5 and by elastic deformation (flattening) of the curved blade 60 to ensure the spring effect.

[0078] However, the spring 6 may also be a helical spring or comprise one or more Belleville washers, arranged around the stud 510.

[0079] The materials of the body 2 and the shut-off valves 5 are chosen so as to guarantee perfect sliding of the valves against the inner wall 21.

[0080] Advantageously, the body 2, the cover 3 and the valves 5 may for example be made of composite plastic or metal (for example brass) or ceramic. The valve support 4 is for example made of composite plastic or metal.

[0081] Although not shown in the figures, it is possible to have a valve support 4 whose side walls 40 are located in parallel planes. The valve 1 thus obtained makes it possible to selectively close two diametrically opposed ports out of the four and by rotating the support 4 by 90 degrees, to selectively close tively two other diametrically opposed lights.

[0082] However, according to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the valve 1 is advantageously configured to be able to occupy three different positions, which make it possible to selectively close two diametrically opposite ports out of the four (first extreme position PI shown in [Fig. 10]), or the two other diametrically opposite ports (third extreme position P3 shown in [Fig. 12]) or even two successive ports (second intermediate position P2 shown in [Fig. 11]).

[0083] For this purpose, and as is better shown in [Fig. 10], the side walls 40 preferably extend in planes spaced apart by an angle α of 45 degrees. In other words, the angle α between the axes Y2-Y'2 of the pins 510, which are positioned perpendicular to the walls 40, is 135 degrees.

[0084] To obtain the positioning of the valve support 4 in the three aforementioned positions, the valve 1 is equipped with stops which make it possible to limit the angular rotational travel of the valve support 4 from one extreme position PI to the other extreme position P3, i.e. over 90 degrees. The intermediate position P2 is obtained by positioning the support 4 halfway between the two positions PI and P3.

[0085] According to a first embodiment of the invention, which appears better in Figures 2, 5 and 7 to 9, in the case where the valve support 4 comprises the upper junction plate 41, it is the latter which comprises a stop, called “upper stop” 413, while the cover 3 has on its internal face 35 a stop, called “cover stop” 36. These two stops 413 and 36 are placed opposite one another and can cooperate by contact with one another to limit the rotation of the valve support over 90 degrees.

[0086] Advantageously and according to the embodiment illustrated in the figures, the stop 36 comprises a first flank 361 and a second flank 362 oriented radially towards the center of the cover and which form between them a re-entrant angle δ.

[0087] Furthermore, the edge 410 of the upper joining plate 41 which extends between the two walls 40 at the point where they are furthest from each other comprises a first panel 411 and a second panel 412 (see figures 7 to 9). These two panels 411 and 412 are oriented radially outwards and form between them a re-entrant angle 0.

[0088] In the embodiment illustrated in the figures, the angles δ and θ measure 225 degrees or substantially 225 degrees.

[0089] When the first face 411 comes into abutment against the first flank 361 (see [Fig.7]), the support 4 is in the position PI and when the second face 412 comes into abutment against the second flank 362 (see [Fig.9]), the support 4 is in the position P3. The intermediate position P2 (see [Fig.8]) corresponds to the central position between PI and P3, none of the faces 411, 412 is in contact with the flanks 361 and 362 of the stop 36.

[0090] According to a second embodiment of the invention, which appears better in Figures 2 and 6, in the case where the valve support 4 comprises the lower junction plate 43, it is the latter which comprises a stop, called “lower stop” 433, while the bottom 22 has on its internal face 220, a stop, called “bottom stop” 223. These two stops are placed opposite one another and can cooperate by contact with one another to limit the rotation of the valve support over 90 degrees.

[0091] Advantageously, the bottom stop 223 comprises a first flank 221 and a second flank 222 oriented radially towards the center of the cover and which form between them a re-entrant angle Q, preferably equal to 225 degrees or substantially 225 degrees.

[0092] Furthermore, the edge 434 of the lower joining plate 43 which extends between the two walls 40 at the point where they are furthest from each other comprises a first panel 431 and a second panel 432 oriented radially outwards and forming between them a re-entrant angle e. Preferably, this angle e is equal to 225 degrees or substantially 225 degrees.

[0093] When the first panel 431 comes into abutment against the first flank 221, the support 4 is in the position P1 and when the second panel 432 comes into abutment against the second flank 222 the support 4 is in the position P3.

[0094] It is possible to have the two aforementioned stop devices simultaneously, in particular when the support 4 has the shape of a cage.

[0095] Furthermore, preferably, and as can be seen in [Fig. 11], the length L1 of the arc of a circle of the radially external face 52 of each valve 5 is dimensioned to be greater than the length L of one of the slots 210a, 210b, 210c, 210d (length of the arc of a circle) and so as not to block two successive slots.

[0096] Preferably, this length L1 is equal to the sum of the length L and the length of the arc of a circle L2 of the portion of side wall 21 which joins a lateral end of a light to the lateral end of the following light (L1 = L + L2).

[0097] Finally, preferably, the space L3 (see [Fig. 12]) between the two closest ends of the two flaps 5 is equal to the length L of one of the lights (L3 = L).

[0098] When the control device of the axis 42 is a manual control lever, it is the operator who acts on this lever to position it in the intermediate position P2, halfway between PI and P3.

[0099] When the control device of the axis 42 is an electric micro-motor, this can be configured to measure the time elapsed to go from position PI to P3 or vice versa (i.e. the time required to complete the full 90 degree stroke) and by moving the axis 42 for half of this time, this micro-motor makes it possible to position the support 4 in position P2. The three positions PI, P2 and P3 are thus defined without using limit switches.

[0100] An example of use of the aforementioned valve 1 in a heating installation 7 will now be described in connection with FIGS. 14 to 16.

[0101] In these figures, it can be seen that the heating installation 7 comprises a heating circuit 71 (for example radiators or underfloor heating), a gas boiler 72 and a heat pump 73, these elements being represented schematically.

[0102] The heating installation 7 also comprises, in addition to the four-way valve 1 according to the invention, a first T-connection 74, a second T-connection 75 and a pump 76 for circulating the water.

[0103] Furthermore, the first T-connection 74 is connected to the valve 1, the gas boiler 72 and the heating circuit 71, while the second T-connection 75 is connected to the valve 1, the heating circuit 71 and the heat pump 73, as shown in the figures.

[0104] Thus, when the valve support 4 of the four-way hydraulic valve is in the first position PI shown in [Fig. 14], the two valves 5 close the diametrically opposite ports 210a and 210c and the valve 1 connects the outlet of the heat pump 73 to the inlet of the heating circuit 71, while the outlet of the heating circuit 71 is connected to the inlet of the heat pump by the T-connector 75. This position can be used in mid-season when the heat pump 73 alone is sufficient to supply hot water to the circuit 71.

[0105] When the cold is greater and the power of the heat pump 73 is no longer sufficient, it is then sufficient to move the valve support 4 into the second position P2 shown in [Fig. 15] where the two valves close the consecutive ports 210b and 210c and the installation makes it possible to connect the outlet of the heat pump 73 to the inlet of the gas boiler 72 and the outlet of the gas boiler 72 to the inlet of the heating circuit 71. Thus, the gas boiler 72 provides additional heat to the water leaving the heat pump before it is sent to the heating circuit 71.

[0106] Finally, in very cold weather, the support 4 is positioned in the third position P3 shown in [Fig.16], the two valves 5 close the ports 210b and 210d. Thus, the installation makes it possible to connect the outlet of the heating circuit 71 to the inlet of the gas boiler 72, and the outlet of the gas boiler 72 to the inlet of the heating circuit 71. Thus, at the time when the efficiency of the heat pump is the lowest, only the gas boiler 72 supplies the heating circuit.

Claims

Claims

1. Four-way hydraulic valve (1), characterized in that it comprises: - a body (2), provided with four connections (24a, 24b, 24c, 24d) and which comprises a chamber (20), preferably cylindrical, delimited by a side wall (21) and a bottom (22), this chamber (20) having an opening (23) and a longitudinal central axis (X-X'), each connection (24a, 24b, 24c, 24d) opening into the chamber (20) through a light (210a, 210b, 210c, 210d), these four lights (210a, 210b, 210c, 210d) being distributed uniformly over the periphery of the side wall (21), - a cover (3) fixed on the body (2) to close the opening (23) of said chamber (20), - a rotary valve support (4), provided with an operating axis (42), this valve support (4) being mounted inside the chamber (20) so that its operating axis (42) passes through the cover (3) or the bottom (22) and is coaxial with the longitudinal axis (X-X'),this valve support (4) supporting two valves (5), mounted on a spring (6) so that each spring (6) permanently tends to move the valve (5) away from the valve support (4) and to press the radially external face (52) of the valve (5) in a sealed manner against the internal face (211) of the side wall (21) of the chamber (20), the rotary valve support (4) being rotatable by the operating axis (42) so as to pivot around an axis of rotation (Xl-X' 1) coaxial with the longitudinal axis (X-X') of the chamber (20), and to occupy different positions in which the valves (5) close two of the four ports (210a, 210b, 210c, 210d) of the chamber (20).,

2. Four-way hydraulic valve (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the valve support (4) comprises two side walls (40) joined by a so-called "upper" joining plate (41), arranged opposite the cover (3) and / or joined by a so-called "lower" joining plate (43), arranged opposite the bottom (22) of the body (2), and in that these two side walls (40) are arranged symmetrically on either side of a plane of symmetry (PB) including the axis of rotation (Xl-X' 1).

3. Four-way hydraulic valve (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that each flap (5) comprises a stud (510) projecting from its radially internal face (51),

4.

5.

6. in that each side wall (40) of the valve support (4) has an orifice (400) for receiving this stud (510), and in that the spring (6) is interposed between the radially external face (401) of the side wall (40) and the radially internal face (51) of the valve (5) and is arranged around said stud (510), so that the stud (510) can slide axially in the orifice (400) along an axis (Y 1-Y' 1) perpendicular to the axis of rotation (Xl-X' 1). Four-way hydraulic valve (1) according to claim 3, characterized in that the spring (6) is a leaf spring, which comprises a curved leaf (60) provided with a flat central part (61) pierced with a central orifice (610), this curved leaf (60) being arranged so that its flat central part (61) is in contact with the radially external face (401) of the side wall (40) of the valve support (4), that the stud (510) of the valve (5) is received in this central orifice (610), that the concavity of the curved leaf (60) is oriented towards the radially internal face (51) of the valve (5) and that the valve (5) has two lateral edges (53) for retaining the respective lateral edges (63) of the curved leaf (60). Four-way hydraulic valve (1) according to any one of claims 3 to 4, characterized in that the two side walls (40) form between them an angle (a) of 45 degrees, in that the valve support (4) comprises said upper junction plate (41), in that the latter comprises a stop, called "upper stop" (413), in that the cover (3) has on its internal face (35) a stop, called "cover stop" (36) and in that the upper stop (413) can cooperate by contact with the cover stop (36) to limit the rotation of the valve support (4) to an angular travel of 90 degrees, so that the valve support (4) can occupy a first extreme position PI, in which the two valves (5) close two diametrically opposed ports (210a, 210c) and a third extreme position P3, in which the two flaps (5) close the two other diametrically opposed lights (210b,210d) and in that the valve support (4) can occupy a second intermediate position P2, halfway between the two extreme positions PI and P3, in which the two valves (5) close two successive ports (210b, 210c)., Four-way hydraulic valve (1) according to claim 5, characterized in that the edge (410) of the upper joining plate (41) which extends between the two side walls (40) at the point where they are furthest from each other comprises a first panel (411) and a second panel (412) together forming said upper stop (413), this first panel (411) and this second panel (412) forming between them an angle (0) of 225 degrees or substantially 225 degrees, in that the cover stop (36) comprises a first flank (361) and a second flank (362) which form between them an angle (δ) of 225 degrees or substantially 225 degrees, so that when the first panel (411) is in contact with the first flank (361), the valve support (4) is in the first extreme position PI and when the second panel (412) is in contact with the second flank (362), the valve support (4) is in the third extreme position P3.

7. Four-way hydraulic valve (1) according to any one of claims 3 to 6, characterized in that the two side walls (40) form between them an angle (a) of 45 degrees, in that the valve support (4) comprises said lower junction plate (43), in that the latter comprises a stop, called "lower stop" (433), in that the bottom (22) of the body (2) has on its internal face (220) a stop (223), called "bottom stop" and in that the lower stop (433) can cooperate by contact with the bottom stop (223) to limit the rotation of the valve support (4) to an angular travel of 90 degrees, so that the valve support (4) can occupy a first extreme position PI, in which the two valves (5) close two diametrically opposed ports (210a, 210c) and a third extreme position P3, in which the two valves (5) close the two other diametrically opposite lights (210b,210d) and in that the valve support (4) can occupy a second intermediate position P2, halfway between the two extreme positions PI and P3, in which the two valves (5) close two successive ports (210b, 210c).,

8. Four-way hydraulic valve (1) according to claim 7, characterized in that the edge (434) of the lower joining plate (43) of the valve support (4) which extends between the two side walls (40) at the point where they are furthest from each other comprises a first face (431) and a second face (432) together forming said lower stop (433), this first face (431) and this second face (432) forming between them an angle (e) of 225 degrees or substantially 225 degrees, in that the bottom stop (223) comprises a first flank (221) and a second flank (222) which form between them an angle (Q) of 225 degrees or substantially 225 degrees, so that when the first face (431) is in contact with the first flank (221), the valve support (4) is in the first extreme position PI and when the second face (432) is in contact with the second flank (222), the valve support (4) is in the third extreme position P3.

9. Four-way hydraulic valve (1) according to one of claims 2 to 8, characterized in that the valve support (4) comprises said upper junction plate (41) and said lower junction plate (43) and has the shape of a cage, in that the operating axis (42) extends from the upper junction plate (41), perpendicular thereto, in that the lower junction plate (43) comprises a pin (430) which projects towards the outside of the valve support (4) and which extends in the axial extension of the operating axis (42), and in that the bottom (22) of the body (2) comprises on its internal face (220) a housing (221) for receiving said pin (430).

10. Four-way hydraulic valve (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the operating shaft (42) is rotated by a control device, such as a manual control lever or an electric or pneumatic or hydraulic micro-motor, fixed to the end of the operating shaft (42) which projects from the body (2).

11. Four-way hydraulic valve (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the body (2), the cover (3) and the valves (5) are made of composite plastic or metal or ceramic and / or in that the valve support (4) is made of composite plastic or metal.

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