Thermodynamic cycle reversing valve particularly for refrigeration circuits with reversible thermodynamic cycle
The thermodynamic cycle reversing valve addresses leakage and operational reliance on pressure differences by using an electrically driven actuator and sealed passages, enhancing sealing and control for improved efficiency and reliability in refrigeration circuits.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- PCT/IB2024/063015
- Authority / Receiving Office
- WO · WO
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Priority Date
- 2024-01-15
- Filing Date
- 2024-12-20
- Publication Date
- 2025-07-24
AI Technical Summary
Existing spool-type thermodynamic cycle reversing valves in refrigeration circuits suffer from refrigerant fluid leakage, reliance on pressure differences for operation, and lack of real-time position monitoring, leading to inefficiency and reliability issues.
A thermodynamic cycle reversing valve with a diverter body and rotation shaft mechanism, utilizing an electrically driven actuator for precise control and sealed passages to minimize leakage and ensure correct positioning, enhancing sealing and reducing friction.
The valve provides improved sealing, reduced fluid leakage, and precise control of refrigerant flow, increasing efficiency and reliability in refrigeration circuits.
Smart Images
Figure IB2024063015_24072025_PF_FP_ABST
Abstract
Description
[0001] THERMODYNAMIC CYCLE REVERSING VALVE PARTICULARLY FOR REFRIGERATION CIRCUITS WITH REVERSIBLE THERMODYNAMIC CYCLE
[0002] DESCRIPTION
[0003] Technical field
[0004] The present invention relates to a thermodynamic cycle reversing valve for thermodynamic reversible refrigeration circuits.
[0005] Background
[0006] Nowadays, refrigeration circuits with reversible thermodynamic cycle are widely known and popular.
[0007] Refrigeration circuits with reversible thermodynamic cycle, such heat pump air conditioning systems, generally include two heat exchangers, an expansion on a first line connecting the two heat exchangers, a compressor on a second line connecting the same two heat exchangers, and a thermodynamic cycle reversing valve interposed between the compressor and the two heat exchangers.
[0008] Such a cycle reversing valve typically includes a four-way valve, which is connected by a first line to the compressor inlet, by a second line to compressor outlet, by a third line to first heat exchanger, and by a fourth line to a second heat exchanger.
[0009] In refrigeration circuits, the four-way, thermodynamic cycle reversal valve switches the passage of refrigerant fluid exiting the compressor from one heat exchanger to another in the refrigeration machine, reversing the direction of refrigerant flow within these heat exchangers, the thermodynamics within them, and the refrigeration effect in the environment in which they are located.
[0010] As is well known, the heat exchanger that receives gas-phase refrigerant leaving the compressor is called the condenser, while the other heat exchanger is called the evaporator.
[0011] The valve is used for refrigeration machines or heat pump air conditioners, which allow rooms to be cooled or heated by operating the reversing valve.
[0012] To date, the most widely used reversing valves are the 'drawer' type.
[0013] In such 'spool' type valves, with actuation by a piston moved by pressure, the control may be by a small solenoid valve called a "pilot," which diverts high and low pressure to move a piston connected to the spool.
[0014] The switch of operation from heating to cooling and vice versa is made by the movement of the spool, the position of which forces the passage of refrigerant either into a first line directed to a first heat exchanger, or into the second line directed to the second heat exchanger.
[0015] The position of such a selection spool is determined by the coil, whether or not it is excited by an electrical control signal, the one precisely that commands the hot-cold cycle reversal; the solenoid valve then indirectly drives the movement of the spool.
[0016] The two positions correspond to the two different modes of operation, 'hot' and 'cold' of the refrigeration circuit.
[0017] A minimum pressure difference AP between the two flow lines flowing through the valve, i.e., a first flow line in which cold fluid flows at low pressure, and a second flow line in which hot fluid flows at high pressure, is required to ensure the movement of the spool valve, otherwise the movement of the spool may be partial or totally absent, with the attendant consequences.
[0018] Such a four-way spool-type valve, while well-known and appreciated, has some limitations and drawbacks.
[0019] A first drawback of such known type of spool valves lies in the fact that they do not guarantee perfect sealing of the refrigerant fluid, resulting in leakage of the same refrigerant fluid to other elements of the circuit such as exchangers and compressor, leading to loss of efficiency, reliability and the risk of premature compressor failure.
[0020] A second major drawback and limitation is related to the fact that the operation of spool-type valves that you can find on the market depends on the pressure difference between the two lines of fluid passing through it, and there is no feedback signal to inform the user of the correct positioning of the valve drawer itself; therefore, there is a difficulty in real-time monitoring of the actual position of the valve spool.
[0021] In addition, another limitation of spool valves of the known type is that such spool valves have many reciprocal moving elements and thus many friction zones, with as many risks of seizure of moving components; therefore, there is a low reliability rate due to the complex mechanisms of which the spool valve is composed.
[0022] Summary of the invention
[0023] The task of the present invention is to develop a thermodynamic cycle reversing valve for refrigeration circuits with reversible thermodynamic cycle capable of overcoming the aforementioned drawbacks and limitations of the known technique.
[0024] Specifically, one purpose of the invention is to develop a reversing valve capable of better sealing to the refrigerant fluid than spool valves of known types.
[0025] Another purpose of the invention is to develop a reversible thermodynamic cycle refrigeration circuit comprising such a reversing valve.
[0026] A further purpose of the invention is to develop a reversing valve of a bulk no larger than valves of known types.
[0027] Still one purpose of the invention is to develop a reversing valve to limit friction and seizure problems in moving components.
[0028] The above task as well as the above purposes are achieved by a thermodynamic cycle reversing valve for reversible thermodynamic cycle refrigeration circuits according to claim 1 , as well as by a reversible thermodynamic cycle refrigeration circuit comprising such reversing valve according to claim 10.
[0029] Additional features of reversing valve according to claim 1 are described in the dependent claims.
[0030] Brief description of the figures
[0031] The task and the aforementioned purposes, together with the advantages that will be mentioned below, are evidenced by the description of three forms of execution of the invention, which are given, by way of illustration but not limitation, with reference to the attached drawing plates, where:
[0032] - Figure 1 represents a perspective view of a reversing valve according to the invention in an early embodiment of the invention;
[0033] - Figure 2 represents a further perspective view of the reversing valve in Figure 1 ;
[0034] - Figure 3 depicts a schematic cross-sectional view of a reversing valve according to the invention in a first operating arrangement; - Figure 4 represents a schematic cross-sectional view of the valve in Figure 2, in a second operating arrangement;
[0035] - Figure 4A represents a perspective view of a valve detail in its first realizable form;
[0036] - Figure 4B represents a sectional side view of a variant of the first embodiment form of the valve according to the invention;
[0037] - Figure 5 represents a cross-sectional view of the reversing valve according to the invention;
[0038] - Figure 6 schematically depicts a reversible-cycle refrigeration circuit comprising a valve according to the invention in a first set-up for use;
[0039] - Figure 7 represents the same refrigeration circuit in Figure 6 in a second operating setup;
[0040] - Figure 8 represents a schematic cross-sectional view of a second embodiment form of a reversing valve according to the invention in a first operating arrangement;
[0041] - Figure 9 represents a schematic cross-sectional view of the valve in Figure 8, in a second operating arrangement;
[0042] - Figure 10 represents a perspective cross-section of the valve according to the invention in the second embodiment form in Figures 8 and 9;
[0043] - Figure 11 depicts a schematic cross-sectional view of a third embodiment form of a reversing valve according to the invention in a first operating arrangement;
[0044] - Figure 11A represents a schematic sectional view of the valve in the third realization form;
[0045] - Figure 12 represents a schematic cross-sectional view of the valve in Figure 11 , in a second operating arrangement;
[0046] - Figure 13 depicts a schematic cross-sectional view of a fourth embodiment of a reversing valve according to the invention in a first operating arrangement;
[0047] - Figure 14 represents a schematic cross-sectional view of the valve in Figure 13, in a second operating arrangement;
[0048] - Figures 15 and 16 each represent a perspective view of a reversing valve according to the invention in a fifth embodiment;
[0049] - Figure 17 represents a side view of the reversing valve in Figures 15 and 16;
[0050] - Figure 17A represents the cross section according to the B-B section line in Figure 17;
[0051] - Figure 17B represents the cross section according to the D-D section line in Figure 17;
[0052] - Figure 17C represents the cross section according to the C-C cross section line in Figure 17;
[0053] - Figure 18 depicts a perspective view of the reversing valve in its fifth realizable form, in a first operational arrangement, according to a section plane indicated by the section line A-A in Figure 17;
[0054] - Figure 19 represents another perspective view of the reversing valve in its fifth realizable form, in a second operational arrangement, according to the same section plane indicated by the section line A-A in Figure 17;
[0055] - Figure 20 represents a perspective exploded view of the reversing valve in its fifth realizable form,
[0056] - Figure 21 depicts a perspective exploded view of a valve according to the invention in its sixth embodiment form;
[0057] - Figure 22 represents another perspective exploded view of the valve in Figure 21 ;
[0058] - Figure 23 represents a side view of the valve in its sixth realization form;
[0059] - Figure 24 depicts a cross-sectional side view of the valve according to the invention in its sixth embodiment form, in a first operational arrangement;
[0060] - Figure 25 depicts a cross-sectional side view of the valve according to the invention in its sixth embodiment form, in a second operational arrangement.
[0061] The thicknesses and curvatures depicted in the figures introduced above should be understood as purely illustrative; they are generally magnified and not necessarily shown in proportion.
[0062] Detailed description of preferred forms of implementation
[0063] Various forms of implementation and variants of the invention will be described next, and this is with reference to the figures introduced above.
[0064] Similar components are denoted in the different figures with the same numerical reference.
[0065] In the detailed description that follows, additional forms of realization and variants to forms of realization and variants already covered in the same description will be illustrated limited to differences with what has already been outlined.
[0066] In addition, the different forms of implementation and variations described below are likely to be used in combination where compatible.
[0067] Referring initially to Figure 1 , according to a form of embodiment of invention, a thermodynamic cycle reversing valve, for reversible cycle refrigeration circuits, according to the invention is collectively denoted as number 10.
[0068] In a first embodiment of the invention itself, which is not limiting but intended to be illustrative, such a reversing valve 10 comprises a valve body 11 within which a cylindrical chamber 12 is defined.
[0069] On the valve body 11 are defined, as clearly visible in Figures 3, 4 and 5:
[0070] - an inlet passage 13;
[0071] - an outlet passage 14;
[0072] - a first inversion passage 15 interposed between the inlet passage 13 and said outlet passage 14; this inversion passage 15 is defined on a first lateral portion 11a of said valve body 11 ;
[0073] - a second inversion passage 16 interposed between inlet passage 13 and outlet passage 14; this inversion passage 16 is defined on a second lateral portion 11 b of valve body 11 ; the second lateral portion 11 b is opposite to the first lateral portion 11a with respect to said inlet passage 13 and outlet passage 14; the reversing valve 10 according to the invention also comprises:
[0074] - a rotation shaft 18 having a rotation axis X; this rotation shaft 18 is arranged at least partially inside the valve body 11 , and is coaxial with the main axis of symmetry of the cylindrical chamber 12,
[0075] - a rotation actuator 19 connected to rotation shaft 18; this rotation actuator 19 is configured to rotate rotation shaft 18 around rotation axis X,
[0076] - a diverter body 17 comprising at least one shaped wall 20, for example, a single shaped wall in such a first embodiment of the invention; the diverter body 17 is attached to the rotation shaft 18 and is configured to rotate together with the rotation shaft 18 within the cylindrical chamber 12 ; the diverter body 17 is arranged within the cylindrical chamber 12, and the shaped wall 20 is configured such that:
[0077] (a) in a first angular position, depicted in Figure 3, in the cylindrical chamber 12 the shaped wall 20 simultaneously defines:
[0078] - a first transit space 21 configured to connect the inlet passage 13 with the first inversion passage 15,
[0079] - a second transit space 22 configured to connect the outlet passage 14 with the second inversion passage 16;
[0080] (b) in a second angular position, depicted in Figure 4, in said cylindrical chamber 12 the shaped wall 20 simultaneously defines:
[0081] - a third transit space 23 configured to connect the inlet passage 13 with the second inversion passage 16,
[0082] - a fourth transit space 24 configured to connect the outlet passage 14 with the first inversion passage 15.
[0083] In Figures 1 to 5, at each of said inlet passage 13, outlet passage 14, first inversion passage 15 and second inversion passage 16 there is a corresponding fitting 13a, 14a, 15a, 16a attached to the valve body 11.
[0084] Specifically, in the reversing valve 10 in its first embodiment, the inlet passage 13, the outlet passage 14, the first inversion passage 15 and the second inversion passage 16 each develop in a respective direction lying in a respective plane transverse to said axis of rotation X
[0085] Still specifically, the inlet passage 13, the outlet passage 14, the first inversion passage 15 and the second inversion passage 16 are developed according to respective directions Y1 , Y2, Y3, Y4 that are parallel to each other.
[0086] The valve body 11 is intended to be a body within which the cylindrical chamber 12 is defined, which cylindrical chamber 12 is closed at the two opposite ends with respect to the main axis of symmetry of the cylindrical chamber 12 itself.
[0087] A through-hole is defined at a first end 11c to pass through the rotation shaft 18. The rotation actuator 19 is connected to the rotation shaft 18 at the first end 11 c of valve body 11 .
[0088] Rotation actuator 19 comprises an electric gear motor.
[0089] In that first embodiment of the invention, the shaped wall 20 includes an elliptical plate.
[0090] The shaped wall 20 includes a perimeter edge 27, shown in Figure 4A, which is configured to result in a seal-type contact against the inner surface 28 of said cylindrical chamber 12. In particular, the perimeter edge 27 has a seat for an annular sealing element 29, schematized in Figure 4.
[0091] The elliptical plate, defining the shaped wall 20, is inclined and is shaped so that its projection on a plane orthogonal to the axis of rotation X is circular with a diameter substantially corresponding to the inner diameter of the cylindrical chamber section 12; this geometric feature can be seen in the cross-sectional view of the reversing valve 10 that is shown in Figure 5.
[0092] In the first embodiment of the invention, the input passage 13 and the output passage 14 are arranged substantially coaxially on opposite faces of said valve body 11 .
[0093] Specifically, the first inversion passage 15 and the second inversion passage 16 are defined at two opposite positions on either side of said outlet passage 14.
[0094] In such a realization example, the first inversion passage 15 and the second inversion passage 16 are therefore on a valve body face 11 which is opposite to the face on which the inlet passage 13 is defined, and which is the same one on which the outlet passage 14 is defined.
[0095] The two angular arrangements of said diverter body 17 are obtained by rotation A by an angle of 180°, where this rotation A is shown in Figures 3 and 4.
[0096] In a first operational arrangement, depicted in Figure 3, the elliptical plate, defining the shaped wall 20, is positioned to tightly obstruct the annular band inner surface located in a zone 28a of the inner surface 28 between the outlet passage 14 and the first inversion passage 15 to a zone 28b located next to the inlet passage 13 on the opposite side with respect to the Y1 direction of development of the inlet passage 13. These zones 28a and 28b are shown in Figures 3 and 4.
[0097] In a second operating arrangement, depicted in Figure 4, the elliptical plate, defining the shaped wall 20, is rotated 180° relative to the first operating arrangement, and is positioned to tightly obstruct an annular band of inner surface 28 that is located in a zone 28c between outlet passage 14 and the second inversion passage 16 to a zone 28d located alongside entrance passage 13 on the opposite side with respect to the Y1 direction of development of the inlet passage 13. These zones 28c and 28d are shown in Figures 3 and 4. In a variation of the first embodiment of the reversing valve 10 according to the invention, shown in section in Figure 4B, the diverter body 17 is supported on and attached to a rotation shaft 18 which is fulcrumed to the valve body 11 at both its ends.
[0098] Specifically, a first end 18a of rotation shaft 18 passes through a first end 11c of valve body 11 at the disposal of a rotation actuator, while the opposite second end 18b of rotation shaft 18 rests in a blind hole 18c defined within the second end 11 d of the valve body 11 .
[0099] Figures 6 and 7 show schematically a refrigeration circuit 50 of the reversible thermodynamic cycle type, including a reversing valve 10 according to the invention.
[0100] Said refrigeration circuit 50 comprises two heat exchangers 51 and 52, an expansion valve 53 on a first line 54 connecting said two heat exchangers 51 and 52, a compressor 55 on a second line 56 connecting said two heat exchangers 51 and 52, and thermodynamic cycle reversing valve, said reversing valve being interposed between said compressor 55 and said two heat exchangers 51 , 52.
[0101] The refrigerant circuit 50 includes a thermodynamic cycle reversing valve 10 as described above.
[0102] The reversing valve according to the invention is understood to be able to also be of the type as described below.
[0103] In a second embodiment of the invention, depicted in Figures 8 through 10, the reversing valve is denoted as a whole by the number 110.
[0104] In such a reversing valve 110, the diverter body 117 comprises a shaped wall 120 comprising in turn:
[0105] - a central wall 120a developing predominantly along the axis of rotation X; said central wall 120a has a width substantially corresponding to the inner diameter of said cylindrical chamber 12 in a radial direction with respect to said axis of rotation X; preferably, but not exclusively, central wall 120a develops in a plane parallel to said axis of rotation X;
[0106] - a first semicircular wall 120b developing from one end of said central wall 120a; said first semicircular wall 120b develops in a radial direction with respect to said axis of rotation X until it results in a seal-like contact against the inner surface 28 of said cylindrical chamber 12; sealing may, for example, be accomplished by means of a sealing ring, not illustrated for simplicity of graphic exposition;
[0107] - a second semicircular wall 120c developing from an opposite end of the central wall 120a; said second semicircular wall 120c develops in a radial direction with respect to said axis of rotation X until it results in a seal-like contact against the inner surface 28 of said cylindrical chamber 12; the second semicircular wall 120c develops on the opposite side of said first semicircular wall 120b with respect to said central wall 120a. Sealing may, for example, be accomplished by means of a sealing ring, not illustrated for simplicity of graphic exposition.
[0108] The central wall 120a has a length in the axial direction, that is, in the direction of the axis of rotation X, at least equal to the dimension in the same direction as said entrance passage 13.
[0109] The first semicircular wall 120b is developed in a plane transverse to said axis of rotation X.
[0110] The second semicircular wall 120c runs in a plane transverse to said axis of rotation X.
[0111] From each of said first circular wall 120b and said second circular wall 120c develops a semicircular supporting arc 120d and 120e respectively.
[0112] The first circular wall 120b and a first semicircular supporting arch 120d are configured to define a perimeter seat for an annular gasket apt to be pressed against the inner surface 28 of the cylindrical chamber 12.
[0113] The central wall 120a has two opposing longitudinal seals, not shown for simplicity, developed along the longitudinal sides of the central wall 120a and configured to determine the seal between the inner surface 28 of the cylindrical chamber 12 and the same longitudinal sides of the central wall 120a.
[0114] Longitudinal sides are understood to be the straight sides that run in the direction of the axis of rotation X.
[0115] Similarly, the second circular wall 120c and the second semicircular supporting arch 120e are also configured to define a perimeter seat for an annular gasket apt to be pressed against the inner surface 28 of the cylindrical chamber 12.
[0116] In such a second embodiment of the reversing valve 110 according to the invention, the diverter body 117 is supported on and attached to a rotation shaft 118 which is fulcrumed to the valve body 111 at both its ends.
[0117] Specifically, a first end 118a of rotation shaft 118 passes through a first end 111c of valve body 111 at the disposal of a rotation actuator 19, while the opposite second end 118b of rotation shaft 118 rests in a blind hole 118c defined within the second end 111d of valve body 111.
[0118] In that second embodiment of the invention, the shaped wall 120 comprises not a single wall, as in the first embodiment of the invention, presenting a single inclined flat plate, but rather the shaped wall 120 comprises three flat walls arranged substantially in an 'S' or 'Z' shape with each other.
[0119] Specifically, the shaped wall 120 comprises a central wall 120a and two semicircular walls 120b and 120c each developed orthogonally from one end of the central wall 120a in two radial directions opposite each other.
[0120] The semicircular support arches 120d and 120e are shaped in such a way as to allow fluid to flow through them.
[0121] The two operational arrangements of the reversing valve 110 are essentially similar to those described above for the operational arrangements of the reversing valve 10 in its first embodiment.
[0122] A third embodiment of the invention is depicted in Figures 11 , 11 A and 12.
[0123] In this third embodiment of the invention, a reversing valve is collectively referred to as 210.
[0124] In said reversing valve 210 the inlet passage 213 and the outlet passage 214 are arranged on opposite fronts of said valve body 211 , and said first reversing passage 215 and second reversing passage 216 also develop on opposite fronts of said valve body 211.
[0125] Specifically, as schematized in Figure 11 A, the Z3 and Z4 projections of the development directions of said first inversion passage 215 and said second inversion passage 216 on a plane P1 orthogonal to the axis of rotation X, are transverse to the Z1 and Z2 projections, on the same orthogonal plane P1 , of the development directions of said inlet passage 213 and said outlet passage 214.
[0126] Diverter body 217 includes a shaped wall 220 that is essentially flat.
[0127] The diverter body 217 is attached to a rotation shaft 218, in the same manner as described above for the previous embodiments of the invention, and is configured to rotate together with the rotation shaft 218 within the cylindrical chamber 212.
[0128] Such a shaped wall 220 has a dimension, in the radial direction with respect to the axis of rotation X, that corresponds to the inner diameter of said cylindrical chamber 212 and a dimension in the longitudinal direction that corresponds to the inner length of the cylindrical chamber 212.
[0129] In such an embodiment, the inlet passage 213 and the outlet passage 214 are positioned on opposite faces of said shaped wall 220 and may have non-coaxial development directions, or they may have staggered development directions along the direction of the axial length of the cylindrical chamber 212.
[0130] In Figures 11 and 12, the inlet passage 213 is coaxial with the outlet passage 214.
[0131] In the same Figures 11 and 12, the first inversion passage 215 is coaxial with the second inversion passage 216.
[0132] In an initial operational arrangement, depicted in Figure 11 , the shaped wall 220 is positioned to tightly obstruct a linear strip of inner surface area that lies in an area of the inner surface 228 between the outlet passage 214 and the first inversion passage 215 and a linear strip inner surface area that lies in an area of the inner surface 228 between the inlet passage 213 and the second inversion passage 216.
[0133] In a second operating arrangement, depicted in Figure 12, the shaped wall 220 is rotated 90° relative to the first operating arrangement, and the shaped wall 220 is positioned so as to tightly obstruct a linear strip inner surface that is in an area of the inner surface 228 between the inlet passage 213 and the first inversion passage 215 and a linear strip of inner surface that is in an area of the inner surface 228 between the outlet passage 214 and the second inversion passage 216.
[0134] The inner surface 228 has longitudinal end-stroke and seal reliefs 270 against which the edges of the shaped wall 220 make contact.
[0135] A fourth embodiment form of a reversing valve according to the invention is shown in Figures 13 and 14, and is denoted therein as a whole by the number 310. In that fourth embodiment of the invention, the reversing valve 310 comprises a diverter body 317 which in turn comprises a shaped wall 320 comprising:
[0136] - a central wall 320a developing predominantly along the axis of rotation X, e.g., developing in a plane parallel to said axis of rotation X; said central wall 320a has a width substantially corresponding to the inner diameter of said cylindrical chamber in the radial direction with respect to said axis of rotation X
[0137] - a first semicircular wall 320b developing from one end of said central wall 320a
[0138] - a second semicircular wall 320c developing from an opposite end of the central wall 320a; the second semicircular wall 320c develops on the opposite side of said first semicircular wall 320b with respect to said central wall 320a.
[0139] In such a fourth embodiment of the invention, the diverter body 317 comprises a tubular support 360 integral with said shaped wall 320 and carried in rotation by a rotation shaft 318.
[0140] The tubular support 360 rotates inside the cylindrical chamber of the valve body 311.
[0141] The tubular support 360 is shaped in such a way that it covers the inner surface of the cylindrical chamber internally.
[0142] The tubular support 360 has pairs of opposing radial through-holes 363, 364, 365, 365a, and 366 and 366a configured to be positioned at the inlet passage 313, outlet passage 314, first inversion passage 315, and second inversion passage 316, respectively.
[0143] At least two sealing rings 367 and 368 are interposed between the cylindrical chamber and the tubular support 360, preferably placed in the areas between the outlet passage 314 and the inversion passages first 315 and second 316.
[0144] In a first operating arrangement, depicted in Figure 13, diverter body 317 is positioned so that inlet passage 313 is in communication with second inversion passage 316, via a first through-hole 363 of tubular support 360 that is located at inlet passage 313, through a fourth through-hole 366 located at the second inversion passage 316, and with the shaped wall 320 obstructing the gas passage from the inlet passage 313 to the outlet passage 314 and to the first inversion passage 315.
[0145] In such a first operating arrangement, the outlet passage 314 is connected to the first inversion passage 315 via the second through-hole 364 of the tubular support 360 located at the outlet passage 314 and via the third through-hole 365 located at the first inversion passage 315.
[0146] In a second operating arrangement, depicted in Figure 14, the diverter body 317 is positioned so that the inlet passage 313 is in communication with the first inversion passage 315, via a second through-hole 364 of the tubular support 360 located at the inlet passage 313, through a fifth through-hole 365a located at the first inversion passage 315, and with the shaped wall 320 positioned to obstruct the gas passage from the inlet passage 313 to the outlet passage 314 and to the second inversion passage 316.
[0147] In this second operating arrangement, the outlet passage 314 is connected to the second inversion passage 316 via the first through-hole 363 of the tubular support 360 located at the outlet passage 314, and via the sixth through-hole 366a located at the second inversion passage 316.
[0148] The fifth through-hole 365a is symmetrical to the third through-hole 365 with respect to the axis of rotation X.
[0149] The sixth through-hole 366a is symmetrical to the fourth through-hole 366 with respect to the axis of rotation X.
[0150] In such a fourth embodiment form of the invention, the inlet passage 313, the outlet passage 314, the first inversion passage 315, and the second inversion passage 316 are developed according to respective directions Y1 , Y2, Y3, Y4 parallel to each other, with the inlet passage 313 being substantially coaxial and opposite to the outlet passage 314 with respect to the rotation axis X.
[0151] The transition from the first to the second arrangement is achieved by a 180° angular rotation of the 360 tubular support around the axis of rotation X relative to the valve body 311 .
[0152] The tubular support 360 has a rotation shaft 318 protruding from the valve body 311 at the disposal of a rotation actuator.
[0153] Figures 15 to 19 show a fifth embodiment of the reversing valve according to the invention, referred to therein as a whole as 410.
[0154] In such fifth embodiment of the invention, the reversing valve 410 comprises a diverter body 417 which in turn comprises a shaped wall 420 comprising:
[0155] - a central wall 420a developing predominantly along the axis of rotation X, e.g., developing in a plane parallel to said axis of rotation X; said central wall 420a has a width substantially corresponding to the inner diameter of said cylindrical chamber in the radial direction with respect to said axis of rotation X
[0156] - a first semicircular wall 420b developing from one end of said central wall 420a,
[0157] - a second semicircular wall 420c developing from an opposite end of the central wall 420a; the second semicircular wall 420c develops from said central wall 420a on the opposite side with respect to said first semicircular wall 420b.
[0158] In such fifth embodiment of the invention, the diverter body 417 comprises a tubular support 460 integral with said shaped wall 420, which tubular support 460 is carried in rotation by a rotation shaft 418, schematized in Figure 18.
[0159] The 460 tubular support rotates inside the cylindrical chamber of the 411 valve body.
[0160] The 460 tubular support is shaped in such a way as to internally coat the inner surface of the cylindrical chamber.
[0161] Tubular support 460 has radial through-holes 463, 464, 465, 466, 464a, 465a, and 466a configured to be positioned respectively at inlet passage 413, at outlet passage 414, at the first inversion passage 415, and at the second inversion passage 416, depending on whether the tubular support 460 assumes a first operating attitude or a second operating attitude, following a 90° rotation of the tubular support 460 relative to the valve body 411 , as described below.
[0162] In a first operating arrangement, depicted in figure 18, diverter body 417 is positioned so that inlet passage 413 is in communication with second inversion passage 416, via a first through-hole 463, of tubular support 460, which is located at inlet passage 413, see also figure 17B, via a fourth through-hole 466 which is located at second inversion passage 416, see also Figure 17A, and with the shaped wall 420 obstructing the gas passage from the inlet passage 413 to the outlet passage 414 and to the first inversion passage 415, where these outlet passage 414 and first inversion passage 415 are developed according to directions transverse to a plane passing through the direction of development of the inlet passage 413 and the axis of rotation X.
[0163] In such a first operating arrangement, the outlet passage 414 is connected to the first inversion passage 415 via the second through-hole 464 of the tubular support 460 located at the outlet passage 414 and via the third through-hole 465 located at the first inversion passage 415.
[0164] In a second operating arrangement, depicted in Figure 19, the diverter body 417 is positioned so that the inlet passage 413 is in communication with the first inversion passage 415, via the second through-hole 464 of the tubular support 460 that is located at the inlet passage 413, via a sixth through-hole 465a that is located at the first inversion passage 415, and with the shaped wall 420 positioned so as to obstruct the passage of gas from the inlet passage 413 to the outlet passage 414 and to the second inversion passage 416.
[0165] In this second operating arrangement, the outlet passage 414 is connected to the second inversion passage 416 via a fifth through-hole 464a of the tubular support 460 that is located at the outlet passage 414, and via a seventh through-hole 466a that is located at the second inversion passage 416.
[0166] In such fifth realizable form of the invention,
[0167] - the outlet passage 414, the first inversion passage 415, and the second inversion passage 416 are aligned on the valve body 411 in a longitudinal direction X1 that is at an angular distance K1 from a parallel longitudinal direction X2 on which the inlet passage 413 is defined, where the angle K1 is measured in a plane orthogonal to the axis of rotation X; K1 , for example and not exclusively, has a value of 90 ;°
[0168] - through-holes 466, 464, 465 are arranged aligned along a longitudinal direction X3, visible in Figure 20, which is at an angular distance K2 from a parallel longitudinal direction X4 on which through-holes 466a, 464a, 465a are defined, where angle K2 is measured in a plane orthogonal to the axis of rotation X; K2 is equal to angle K1 , and, for example and not exclusively, has a value of 90 ,°
[0169] The transition from the first to the second arrangement is made by a 90° angular rotation of the tubular support 460 around the X axis of rotation.
[0170] Basically, the inlet passage 413 is positioned at 90°respect to the outlet passage 414 and with respect to the first inversion passage 415 and the second inversion passage 416, and the switching of fluid passage from the inlet passage 413 to either the first inversion passage 415 or the second inversion passage 416 is done by a 90° rotation of the tubular support 460 with respect to the valve body 411 .
[0171] A sixth embodiment form of the invention is depicted in Figures 21 to 25.
[0172] Basically, in such sixth embodiment of the valve 510, the inlet passage 513 on the valve body 511 is positioned at 180° with respect to the outlet passage 514 and with respect to the first inversion passage 515 and the second inversion passage 516, and the switching of fluid passage from the inlet passage 513 to either the first inversion passage 515 or the second inversion passage 516 occurs with a rotation of an A1 angle of 90° of the tubular support 560 with respect to the valve body 511 .
[0173] Specifically, in that sixth embodiment of the invention, the reversing valve 510 comprises a diverter body 517 which in turn comprises a shaped wall 520 comprising:
[0174] - a central wall 520a developing predominantly along the axis of rotation X, e.g., developing in a plane parallel to said axis of rotation X; said central wall 520a has a width substantially corresponding to the inner diameter of said cylindrical chamber in the radial direction with respect to said axis of rotation X
[0175] - a first semicircular wall 520b developing from one end of said central wall 520a
[0176] - a second semicircular wall 520c developing from an opposite end of the central wall 520a; the second semicircular wall 520c develops from said central wall 520a on the opposite side with respect to said first semicircular wall 520b.
[0177] In that sixth embodiment of the invention, the diverter body 517 comprises a tubular support 560 integral with said shaped wall 520 and carried in rotation by a rotation shaft 518.
[0178] Tubular support 560 rotates inside the cylindrical chamber of valve body 511 .
[0179] The 560 tubular support is shaped in such a way that it covers the inner surface of the cylindrical chamber internally.
[0180] Tubular support 560 has radial through-holes 563, 564, 564a and 564b, 565 and 565a, and 566 and 566a configured to be positioned at inlet passage 513, outlet passage 514, first inversion passage 515, and second inversion passage 516, respectively.
[0181] At least two sealing rings are interposed between the cylindrical chamber and the tubular support 560 as already described for the fourth embodiment. In a first operating arrangement, depicted in Figure 24, diverter body 517 is positioned so that inlet passage 513 is in communication with first inversion passage 515, via a first through-hole 563 of tubular support 560 that is located at inlet passage 513, via a fifth through-hole 565 that is located at the first inversion passage 515, and with the shaped wall 520 that obstructs the gas passage from the inlet passage 513 to the outlet passage 514 and to the second inversion passage 516.
[0182] In such first operating arrangement, the outlet passage 514 is connected to the second inversion passage 516 via the second through-hole 564 of the tubular support 560 located at the outlet passage 514 and via a seventh through-hole 566 located at the second inversion passage 516.
[0183] In a second operating arrangement, depicted in Figure 25, diverter body 517 is positioned so that inlet passage 513 is in communication with second inversion passage 516, via a fourth through-hole 564b of tubular support 560 located at inlet passage 513, through an eighth through-hole 566a that is located at the second inversion passage 516, and with the shaped wall 520 positioned so as to obstruct the passage of gas from the inlet passage 513 to the outlet passage 514 and to the first inversion passage 515.
[0184] In such a second operating arrangement, the outlet passage 514 is connected to the first inversion passage 515 via a third through-hole 564a of the tubular support 560 that is located at the outlet passage 314, and via the sixth through- hole 565a that is located at the first inversion passage 516.
[0185] In such a sixth embodiment form of the invention, the inlet passage 513, the outlet passage 514, the first inversion passage 515, and the second inversion passage 516 are developed according to respective directions parallel to each other, with the inlet passage 513 being substantially coaxial and opposite to the outlet passage 514 with respect to the axis of rotation X.
[0186] The transition from the first to the second arrangement is achieved by a 90° angular rotation of the tubular support 560 around the axis of rotation X relative to the valve body 511 .
[0187] The tubular support 560 has a rotation shaft 518 protruding from the valve body 511 at the disposal of a rotation actuator.
[0188] In such sixth embodiment of the invention, the outlet passage 514, the first inversion passage 515, and the second inversion passage 516 are aligned on the valve body 511 in a longitudinal direction X5 that is at an angular distance K4 from a parallel longitudinal direction X6 on which the inlet passage 513 is defined, where the angle K4 is measured in a plane orthogonal to the axis of rotation X; K4 has a value of 180°; through-holes 565, 564, 566 are arranged aligned along a longitudinal direction X7 that is at an angular distance K5 from a parallel longitudinal direction X8 on which through-holes 565a, 564a, 566a are defined, where angle K5 is measured in a plane orthogonal to the axis of rotation X; K5 has a value of 90°,
[0189] - The fourth through-hole 564b is diametrically opposed to the third through-hole 564a.
[0190] The transition from the first to the second arrangement is made by a 90° angular rotation of the 560 tubular support around the axis of rotation X.
[0191] In general, the reversing valve 10, 110, 210, 310, 410, 510 as described above in its various forms of implementation is installed in a refrigeration circuit 50 so that:
[0192] - inlet passage 13, 213, 313, 413, 513 is connected to the discharge of a compressor 55,
[0193] - outlet passage 14, 214, 314, 414, 514 is connected to the suction of the compressor 55,
[0194] - the first inversion passage 15, 215, 315, 415, 515 is connected to a first heat exchanger 51 ,
[0195] - The second inversion passage 16, 216, 316, 416, 516 is connected to a second heat exchanger 52.
[0196] Thus, it is understood how a reversing valve 10, 110, 210, 310, 410, 510 according to the present invention achieves the intended task and purposes.
[0197] Specifically, the present invention has developed a reversing valve capable of ensuring less fluid leakage from the space inside the cylindrical chamber that is at higher pressure to the space inside the cylindrical chamber that is at lower pressure and thus better efficiency of the refrigeration circuit.
[0198] Moreover, with the invention, a reversing valve of substantially equivalent footprint compared with drawer valves of known type has been developed and thus easily installed in existing refrigeration circuits in place of known and already installed drawer reversing valves.
[0199] In addition, with the invention, a reversing valve was developed that is operable by an electrically driven rotary actuator connected to the rotating shaft of the diverter body.
[0200] The electric gear motor is equipped with feedback and allows precise control of the position of the valve diverter body and thus precise control of the reversal of the refrigeration cycle. The present invention has been described thus far with reference to preferred forms of embodiment. It is to be understood that there may be other forms of embodiment pertaining to the same inventive core, as defined by the scope of protection of the claims below.
Claims
CLAIMS1 ) Thermodynamic cycle reversing valve (10, 110, 210, 310, 410, 510) for refrigeration circuits with reversible cycle, comprising a valve body (11 , 111 , 211 , 311 , 411 , 511 ) inside which it is defined a cylindrical chamber (12, 212), on said valve body (11 , 111 , 211 , 311 , 411 , 511 ) being defined:- an inlet passage (13, 213, 313, 413, 513);- an outlet passage (14, 214, 314, 414, 514);- a first inversion passage (15, 215, 315, 415, 515) interposed between said inlet passage (13, 213, 313, 413, 513) and said outlet passage (14, 214, 314, 414, 514) and defined on a first lateral portion (11 a) of said valve body (11 , 111 , 211 , 311 , 411 , 511 );- a second inversion passage (16, 216, 316, 416, 516) interposed between said inlet passage (13, 213, 313, 413, 513) and said outlet passage (14, 214, 314, 414 , 514), said second inversion passage (16, 216, 316, 416, 516) being defined on a second lateral portion (11 b) of said valve body (11 , 111 , 211 , 311 , 411 , 511 ), said second lateral portion (11 b) being opposite to said first lateral portion (11a) with respect to said inlet passage (13, 213, 313, 413, 513) and outlet passage (14, 214, 314, 414, 514), said reversing valve (10, 110, 210, 310, 410, 510) including:- a rotation shaft (18, 118, 218, 318, 418, 518) having a rotation axis (X), said rotation shaft being at least partly arranged inside said valve body (11 , 111 , 211 , 311 , 411 , 511) and being coaxial with the main axis of symmetry of said cylindrical chamber (12, 212),- a rotation actuator (19) connected to said rotation shaft (18, 118, 218, 318, 418, 518) and configured to rotate said rotation shaft (18, 118, 218, 318, 518) around said axis of rotation (X),- a diverter body (17, 117, 217, 317, 417, 517) comprising at least one shaped wall (20, 120, 220, 320, 420, 520), said diverter body (17, 117, 217, 317, 417, 517) being fixed to said rotation shaft (18, 118, 318, 418, 518), said diverter body (17, 117, 217, 317, 417, 517) being arranged inside said cylindrical chamber (12, 212 ) and being configured to rotate together with the rotation shaft (18, 118, 218, 318, 418, 518) inside the cylindrical chamber (12, 212), and said shaped wall (20, 120, 220, 320, 420, 520) being configured in such a waythat: a) in a first angular position in said cylindrical chamber (12, 212), said shaped wall (20, 120, 220, 320, 420, 520) simultaneously defines:- a first transit space (21 ) configured to connect said inlet passage (13, 213,313, 413, 513) with said first inversion passage (15, 215, 315, 415, 515),- a second transit space (22) configured to connect said exit passage (14, 214,314, 414, 514) with said second inversion passage (16, 216, 316, 416, 516); b) in a second angular position in said cylindrical chamber (12, 212), said shaped wall (20, 120, 220, 320, 420, 520) simultaneously defines:- a third transit space (23) configured to connect said inlet passage (13, 213,313, 413, 513) with said second inversion passage (16, 216, 316, 416, 516),- a fourth transit space (24) configured to connect said exit passage (14, 214,314, 414, 514) with said first inversion passage (15, 215, 315, 415, 515).2) Thermodynamic cycle reversing valve according to claim 1 , wherein said inlet passage (13), exit passage (14), first inversion passage (15) and second inversion passage (16) develop into a direction (Y) lying on a plane transverse to said rotation axis (X).3) Thermodynamic cycle reversing valve according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein said shaped wall (20) includes an elliptical plate whose perimeter edge (27) is configured to determine a sealing type contact against the internal surface (28) of said cylindrical chamber (12).4) Thermodynamic cycle reversing valve according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein said inlet passage (13), outlet passage (14), first inversion passage (15) and second inversion passage (16) are developed according to respective directions (Y1 , Y2, Y3, Y4) parallel to each other.5) Thermodynamic cycle reversing valve according to the previous claim, in which said inlet passage (13) and said outlet passage (14) are arranged substantially coaxial on opposite sides of said valve body (11).6) Thermodynamic cycle reversing valve according to the previous claim, wherein said first inversion passage (15) and said second inversion passage (16) are defined in two opposite positions on the sides of said outlet passage (14).7) Thermodynamic cycle reversing valve according to one or more of theprevious claims, in which the two angular positions of said diverter body (17) are obtained by rotating through an angle of 180°.8) Thermodynamic cycle reversing valve according to one or more of claims 1 , 2, 4, 5, 6 in which said diverter body (117) comprises a shaped wall (120) which in turn comprises- a central wall (120a) developing on a plane parallel to said rotation axis (X), said central wall (120a) having a length in the axial direction at least equal to the dimension in the same direction of said inlet passage (13) and having a width substantially corresponding to the internal diameter of said cylindrical chamber (12) in a radial direction with respect to said axis of rotation (X),- a first semi-circular wall (120b) developing from one end of said central wall (120a), said first semi-circular wall (120b) developing on a plane transverse to said rotation axis (X) and developing in a radial direction with respect to said rotation axis rotation (X) until producing a sealed contact against the internal surface (28) of said cylindrical chamber (12),- a second semicircular wall (120c) developing from an opposite end of said central wall (120a), said second semicircular wall (120c) developing on a plane transverse to said rotation axis (X) and developing in a radial direction with respect to said axis of rotation (X) until determining a sealed contact against the internal surface (28) of said cylindrical chamber (12), said second semicircular wall (120c) developing on the opposite side of said first semicircular wall (120b) with respect to called central wall (120a).9) Thermodynamic cycle reversing valve according to claim 1 , wherein said inlet passage (213) and exit passage (214) are arranged on opposite faces of said valve body (211 ), and said first inversion passage (215 ) and second inversion passage (216) also develop on opposite sides of said valve body (211 ), the projections onto a plane orthogonal (P1 ) to the rotation axis (X) of the development directions of said first inversion passage (215) and said second inversion passage (216) being transverse to the projections on the same orthogonal plane (P1 ) of the development directions of said input passage and said output passage.10) Thermodynamic cycle reversal valve according to the previous claim, wherein said diverter body (217) comprises a shaped wall (220) which issubstantially flat, said shaped wall (220) having a dimension in a radial direction with respect to the axis of rotation ( X) which corresponds to the internal diameter of said cylindrical chamber (212) and a dimension in the longitudinal direction which corresponds to the internal length of the cylindrical chamber (212).11 ) Thermodynamic cycle reversing valve according to claims 1 and 8, in which a diverter body (317,417) includes a tubular support (360, 460) integral with said shaped wall (320, 420).12) Refrigeration circuit (50) of the invertible thermodynamic cycle type, comprising two heat exchangers (51 , 52), an expansion valve (53) on a first line(54) which connects said two heat exchangers (51 , 52), a compressor (55) on a second line (56) which connects the same two heat exchangers (51 , 52), and a thermodynamic cycle reversal valve, said reversing valve being placed between said compressor ( 55) and said two heat exchangers (51 , 52), wherein said thermodynamic cycle reversing valve is a thermodynamic cycle reversing valve (10, 110, 210, 310, 410, 510) according to one or more of claims 1 at 11 .
Citation Information
Patent Citations
Switching valve and refrigerating system thereof
CN216742981U
Straight flow reversing valve
US20060037654A1
Four-way valve
US20190368790A1