Patent Publication Number: US-2022235870-A1

Title: Six Port Valve

Description:
CLAIM OF PRIORITY 
     This patent application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/141,537 filed Jan. 26, 2021, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a multiport valve such as a six port valve having multiple positions such as six distinct positions (flow configurations) amongst the various ports such as two inlet and four outlet ports. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The applicant was requested by a customer to provide a fluid control valve which could operate in one of six different flow configurations amongst two inlet ports and four outlet ports. Specifically, the inlet ports are numbered  1  and  2 , the outlet ports are numbered  3 - 6 . The customer manufactures electric vehicles and such fluid control valves may be used with a thermal system thereof. 
     The customer requested that in the first position, port numbers  4  and  5  would be blocked off and inlet port  1  would direct to outlet port  3 , while inlet port  2  would direct to outlet port  6 . In position  2 , inlet port  1  would direct to outlet ports  3  and  4 , and inlet port  2  would direct out to outlet ports  5  and  6 . No ports were blocked in position  2 . In position  3 , inlet port  1  would direct to outlet port  4 , and inlet port  2  would direct flow to outlet port  5  with ports  3  and  6  blocked off. For position  4 , inlet port  1  directs flow to outlet port  6 , inlet port  2  directs flow to outlet port  3  and ports  4  and  5  are blocked off. In position  5 , inlet port  1  directs flow to outlet ports  5  and  6 , inlet port  2  directs flow to outlet ports  3  and  4  with ports no ports blocked off. Finally, in position  6 , inlet port  1  directs flow to outlet port  5 , inlet port  2  directs flow to outlet port  4  and ports  3  and  6  are blocked off. 
     The customer left the applicant to solve this problem. The desired flow paths needed to be provided to meet the objectives of the applicant&#39;s customer. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is the object of many embodiments of the present invention to provide an improved six port valve having two inputs and four potential outputs capable of changing flow configurations in six separate positions of the valve. 
     It is the object of many embodiments of the present invention to provide an improved multi-port valve. 
     It is another object of many embodiments of the present invention to provide an improved six position valve, possibly having two inputs and four outputs. 
     It is another object of many embodiments of the present invention to provide an improved an ability to provide a specific flow path to connect specific inputs to specific outputs, preferably without mixing of the flow paths at the valve. 
     It is another object of many embodiments to provide selective positions at a valve to selectively direct specific inputs to specific outputs in a prearranged configuration while selectively securing two of the inputs and not mixing fluid streams internal to valve. 
     Accordingly, in accordance with many embodiments of the present invention a valve body is provided with a plurality of ports, such as six ports on an exterior cylindrical surface selected from ports  1 - 6 . Some embodiments may position the ports symmetrically about the valve body. By rotating an interior director, insert or stemshell which is preferably machined or otherwise formed to provide communication between specific ports when placed at specific angular relationships of the stemshell relative to the housing while preferably selectively securing at least one, if not opposing outputs. Additionally, specific ports can direct flow from specific inlet ports to specific outlet ports to accomplish multiple such as six different flow paths depending on the angular position or rotational position of the insert or stemshell relative to the housing. 
     A first channel, such as through or along exterior surfaces of the insert may be utilized to communicate a specific inlet port with a specific outlet port(s), possibly while blocking selected and/or opposing outlet port flow. Meanwhile another inlet port may communicate through a second channel in the insert to direct fluid to at least one other outlet port(s) without inter mixing the fluid streams 
     Separate flow paths may be maintained based on the angular position of the insert which can have an actuator extending perpendicularly away from the ports port and operated by various electrical, mechanical and/or other actuators as are known in the art. 
     The applicant&#39;s design aligns ports  1 - 6  in a common plane. Other designs may have ports non coplaner with other ports. Other embodiments may incorporate features of this invention with other port combinations and constructions. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       These and other attributes of the invention will become more clear upon a thorough study of the following description of the best mode for carrying out the invention, particularly when reviewed in conjunction with the drawings, wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a top perspective view of a presently preferred embodiment of a valve of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a bottom perspective view of the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a cross sectional view taken along the line A-A of the valve shown in  FIGS. 1-2  in a first position; 
         FIG. 4  is a cross sectional view taken along the line A-A of the valve shown in  FIGS. 1-2  in a second position; 
         FIG. 5  is a cross sectional view taken along the line A-A of the valve shown in  FIGS. 1-2  in a third position; 
         FIG. 6  is a cross sectional view taken along the line A-A of the valve shown in  FIGS. 1-2  in a fourth position; 
         FIG. 7  is a cross sectional view taken along the line A-A of the valve shown in  FIGS. 1-2  in a fifth position; and 
         FIG. 8  is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA of  FIG. 1  with the stemshell in a sixth position. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       FIG. 1  shows a valve  10  of a presently preferred embodiment. The valve  10  has first, second, third, fourth, fifth and sixth ports  12 , 14 , 16 , 18 , 20 , 22  respectively. The first through sixth ports  12 - 22  for many embodiments are dedicated inlet or outlet ports. Specifically, first port  12  and second port  14  have been designed as inlet ports for the illustrated embodiments, while second, third, fourth, fifth, and sixth ports  14 , 16 , 18 , 20 , 22  respectively have been designed as outlet ports. Other embodiments may have different inlet/outlet ports and/or ports that may not necessarily be dedicated to only inlet or outlet ports. Various fluids whether liquid and/or gas may flow through various embodiments of valve  10 . A stemshell  24  may be utilized to change positions or flow paths directed by the valve  10 . Many embodiments may utilize a single stemshell  24 . 
     A different position of the stemshell  24  or insert relative to the housing  26  is calculated to provide different flow paths from the various inputs  12 , 14  to be directed selectively to respective outputs  16 , 18 , 20 , 22 . 
     The stemshell  24  is preferably substantially cylindrical about its radial exterior surface  28  and may selectively align one of its first and second channels  30 , 32  with one of two ports such as inlet ports  12 , 14  on or through the housing  26  illustrated directing fluid selectively through first and second channels  30 , 32  without intermixing to flow through the other channel  30  or  32  then proceed to one or more of the outlet ports  16 , 18 , 20 , 22  as appropriate. Stemshell  24  is preferably rotatable about axis  34  internal to the housing  26  for at least some embodiments to selectively direct flow in a specific position  1 - 6  from one of the first and second ports  12 , 14  to one or more of the selected outlet ports  16 , 18 , 20 , 22 . Channels  30 , 32  may be curved for many embodiments and may be spaced by connecting wedges  36 , 38  providing stops  40 , 42  along exterior surface  28  of the stemshell  24 . Side portions  44 , 46  may assist in defining channels  36 , 38  with wedges  36 , 38 . 
     For instance, first position, shown in  FIG. 3 , has stops  40 , 42  preventing flow from proceeding out ports four  18  and five  20 . Meanwhile flow from port one  12  is directed through channel  30  to port three  16  and flow from port two  14  is directed through channel  32  out port six  22 . Stops  40 , 42  may simultaneously prevent flow from two outlets, four  18  and five  20  in this position for this embodiment. Stops  40 , 42  are also 180 degrees apart in this construction as well, but could potentially have other relationships in other embodiments. 
     By turning the stemshell  24  clockwise, or otherwise, from the first position to the second position, flow can continue from the first port  14  to the sixth port  22 , but also proceed simultaneously into the fifth port from the first port  14  through the second channel  32 . Meanwhile the first port  12  can direct flow through the third port  16  and the fourth port  18  through the first channel  30 . The stops  40 , 42  may not fully block off the fourth port  18  and fifth port  20 , but instead are sufficiently moved so that channel  30  can communicate with both third and fourth outlet ports  16 , 18  and channel  32  can communicate with both fifth and sixth outlet ports  20 , 22 , respectively, without co-mixing of the streams within the valve  10  between the channels  30 , 32 . Side portions  44 , 46  of stemshell  24  may not completely block any of the outlet ports  16 , 18 , 20 , 22  in either first, second or other position. 
     A third position of the valve  10  can be achieved with the presently preferred embodiment by rotating the stemshell  24 , such as slightly more clockwise, or otherwise, so that the first channel  30  may communicate flow from the first port  12  to the fourth port  18 . The second channel  32  may communicate flow from the second port  14  to the fifth port  20 . The side portions  44 , 46  may block off flow to the third port  16  and sixth port  22 , possibly in an opposing orientation, such as 180 degrees apart as illustrated or otherwise. 
     A fourth position of the valve  10  is shown in  FIG. 6  for the preferred embodiment. The stemshell  24  may be turned further clockwise, or otherwise, so that the first channel  30  communicates the second port  14  with the third port  16 . The side portion  44  may block off flow through fourth port  18 . Meanwhile, the second channel  32  may communicate the first port  12  with the sixth port  22  while the side portion  46  may block off flow through the fifth port  20 . Side portions  44 , 46  simultaneously block off two separate ports (fourth and fifth ports  18 , 22  in this position) in an opposing manner, such as 180 degrees apart or otherwise. 
       FIG. 7  shows a fifth position of the valve  10 . The stemshell is further turned or moved so that the first channel  30  may communicate flow from the second port  14  to both the third and fourth ports  16 , 18 . The second channel  32  may communicate flow from the first port  12  to both the fifth and sixth ports  20 , 22 . 
       FIG. 8  shows a sixth position of the valve  10  with the stemshell  24  moved again, possibly clockwise, so that the first channel  30  communicates the second port  14  with the fourth channel  18 . The third port  16  is blocked by first stop  40 . The second channel  32  communicates the first port  12  with the fifth port  20 . Second stop  42  prevents flow passing into sixth port  22  from the valve  10 . 
     Manufacturing a valve  10  can be done using various methods known in the art of various materials. The applicant has a molded body providing a valve housing  26  which may be formed in halves with one half having a passage for an actuator to extend through the housing to be controlled by an operator  48 , such as the electro-mechanical operator sold under the Ranco™ brand illustrated or other operator. Valve body  26  may be symmetrical about centerline  50  (such as between the first and second ports  12 , 14  for at least some embodiments. First and second ports  12 , 14  may have the same or similar bore diameters  52 , 54 , while the third, fourth, fifth and/or sixth bores  16 - 22  may have similar or different bore diameters  56 , particularly where they interface with the stemshell  24 . Third, fourth, fifth and sixth bore diameters  56  may be smaller than diameters  52 , 54  of first and second ports  12 , 14 . 
     An insert  58  may fit within valve body  26  and provide interior cooperating surface portions to cooperate with exterior surface portions of the stemshell  24  such as along stops  40 , 42  and/or side portions  44 , 46  to achieve the desired flow from specific input  12  or  14  to desired output(s),  16 - 22 , respectively. Insert  58  may have grooves  60 , 62 , which cooperate with extensions  64 , 66  directed radially relative to the valve body  26  to prevent the insert  58  from rotating relative to the valve body  26 . Ramps  68  may assist in providing a desired flow from a specific input  12  or  14  into a specific channel  30 , 32 . Any or all of aligning bores  70 , 72 , 74 , 76  may be provided along valve body  26  to assist in receiving connectors  78  to secure valve body portions together to provide valve  10  such as is shown in  FIG. 1  or others. 
     While the inlet ports  12 , 14  have axes  80 , 82  aligned with the rotational axis  34  of the stemshell  24  for the illustrated embodiment, the axes  84 , 86 , 88 , 90  of the third, fourth, fifth and sixth ports  16 - 22 , respectively are not collinear with the rotational axis  34  of the stemshell  24 . Other embodiments may provide axes  84 - 90  collinear with the rotation axis  34  of the stemshell  24 . 
     Ports  12 - 22  may have male ends as illustrated to cooperate with various conduits, connectors etc., or female ends as desired for particular applications. 
     Numerous alterations of the structure herein disclosed will suggest themselves to those skilled in the art. However, it is to be understood that the present disclosure relates to the preferred embodiment of the invention which is for purposes of illustration only and not to be construed as a limitation of the invention. All such modifications which do not depart from the spirit of the invention are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims.