Patent ID: 6234207
Filing Date: 2001-05-22
Classification: F16K,F25B,Y10T

Abstract:
A device for changing the flow of an operating medium in an air conditioning system, comprising:a casing including a first port adapted to be connected to an outlet or inlet port of a compressor, said first port having an axis, a second port adapted to be connected to an indoor heat exchanger, a third port adapted to be connected to an outdoor heat exchanger, and a fourth port adapted to be connected to the inlet or outlet port of the compressor;a drive mechanism arranged in said casing and located on said axis of said first port; anda valve body rotatably supported by said drive mechanism and including a first flow passageway extending between a first selectively positionable opening and a second selectively positionable opening and a second flow passageway extending between said first selectively positionable opening and a third selectively positionable opening, said first port and said first selectively positionable opening being constantly kept in communication with one another, said valve body being reversibly rotated to a predetermined angle so as to selectively provide communication between said second port and said second selectively positionable opening and between said third port and said third selectively positionable opening to allow the operating medium to flow through said first flow passageway when said second port and said second selectively positionable opening are communicated with one another and to flow through said second flow passageway when said third port and said third selectively positionable opening are communicated with one another;said second selectively positionable opening and said third selectively positionable opening being located at opposite sides of said first selectively positionable opening and arranged in a diametrically opposed relationship.