Patent ID: 8443765
Filing Date: 2013-05-21
Classification: F16K,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A valve for controlling flow of coolant through a coolant system in a vehicle, the valve comprising: a body having a side wall with a substantially cylindrical inner surface defining an interior, a front end, a back end, an inlet passageway formed in one of either the front end, the back end or the side wall, and at least two discharge passageways formed in one of either the front end, the back end or the side wall; a flow diverter having a side wall with a substantially cylindrical outer surface, the flow diverter disposed within the interior of the body between the inlet passageway and the discharge passageways and positioned such that the outer surface of the flow diverter side wall is positioned adjacent to the cylindrical surface of the body side wall, the flow diverter having a hollow interior, an inlet formed in the flow diverter and adapted to receive a flow of a fluid from the inlet passageway in an inlet direction, and at least one discharge opening formed in the flow diverter and adapted to discharge at least a portion of the flow of the fluid into one of the discharge passageways in a discharge direction that is different from the inlet direction, the flow diverter having a central axis and being rotatable with respect to the body about the central axis to vary the position of one of either the inlet or the at least one discharge opening relative to the inlet passageway for controlling the discharge of at least a portion of the flow of the fluid; and a motor coupled to the flow diverter for rotating the flow diverter with respect to the body; the valve including a fluid bearing defined by and located between the flow diverter and the body to facilitate rotation of the flow diverter with respect to the body, the fluid bearing including a plurality of grooves formed on an inner surface of the body or an outer surface of the flow diverter, the grooves adapted to receive a fluid to create the fluid bearing between the body and the flow diverter.