Patent ID: 6367283
Filing Date: 2002-04-09
Classification: F25B,Y02B

Abstract:
A refrigerant flow-control valve operable between a mid-flow condition, a low-flow condition, and a high-flow condition, said valve comprising:a body having an inlet and an outlet and forming a refrigerant passageway extending from said inlet to said outlet, said passageway having first, second, and third restrictions and first and second valve-element flow passages adapted such that refrigerant flows through said first valve-element flow passage generally in parallel with said second restriction, refrigerant flows through said second valve-element passage generally in parallel with said third restriction, and refrigerant flows through said first restriction generally in series with said first valve-element flow passage and said second restriction and generally in series with said second valve-element flow passage and said third restriction; a first valve element within said body and movable between a first position closing said first valve-element flow passage to generally prevent refrigerant flow therethrough and a second position opening said first valve-element flow passage to permit refrigerant flow therethrough; a first biasing member within said body and resiliently urging said first valve element into said second position; a second valve element within said body and movable between a first position closing said second valve-element flow passage to generally prevent refrigerant flow therethrough and a second position opening said second valve-element flow passage to permit refrigerant flow therethrough; and a second biasing member within said body and resiliently urging said second valve element into said first position.