Patent Description:
This disclosure relates generally to diverter valves and more specifically, to an axial diverter/mixing valve.

Typical air diverters or mixing valves are made with a swinging-vane (or shutter) configuration to divert airflow to one of two or both outlets. The swinging-vane configuration includes a vane or shutter attached to a shaft that pivots or rotates the vane. As the vane is rotated in one direction, the airflow is diverted in one direction and as the vane is rotated in an opposite direction, the airflow is diverted in another direction. The vane can be rotated at a point or points between the two directions so as to divert the airflow in both directions. The swinging-vane diverter/mixing valve configuration however, is inherently significantly large. In addition, the swinging-vane configuration is not pressure-balanced, which means they require substantial force to operate the diverting vane. In addition, swinging-vane configurations require an actuator as a separate add-on part, which makes their assembled size even larger. Document <CIT> discloses a mixing fitting for baths. The hot and cold supplies are fed from their respective control cocks to a common outlet through separate passages one of which is disposed around or partially around the other to prevent the cold supply interfering with the hot supply. A construction in which a valve is provided with two outlets for the bath and a spray device respectively is shown. The cold supply passes through a passage to a blind tube, with ports, surrounded by a ported sleeve rotatable with but spaced from a ported plug with a handle. The hot supply passes to the annular space between the sleeve and plug through a passage which partially surrounds the cold water passage. The port in the sleeve for the spray outlet consists of a small aperture which restricts the cold supply. Document <CIT> discloses a multi-way valve used for water treatment. The middle part of a valve body is respectively provided with a water inlet interface, a water outlet interface and a water discharge interface, the lower end of the valve body is provided with a pipe opening which is used for connecting and fixing a water treatment column and an inner sleeve pipe is arranged in the pipe opening; the upper part of the valve body is provided with a sealing cover board, a rotary disk used for selecting communicating directions is arranged in the valve body and is composed of a ring-shaped sleeve, and a rotary shaft and a folding pipe positioned in the ring-shaped sleeve; the lower end of the rotary shaft is fixedly connected with the folding pipe, and the upper end of the rotary shaft passes through the sealing cover board and is connected with a rotary mechanism; the upper part pipe opening of the folding pipe passes through the ring-shaped sleeve and is corresponding to the positions of the water inlet interface, the water outlet interface, and the water discharge interface, a lower end pipe of the folding pipe is sheathed in the inner sleeve pipe through a rotary opening sleeve, one side of the ring-shaped sleeve of the upper part pipe opening of the folding pipe is provided with two through holes, and the other side is provided with one through hole; communication of different water flow directions is realized through rotating the rotary shaft. The utility model has the advantages of convenient installation and simple operation. The utility model is used for the water filtering treatment.

The following presents a simplified summary in order to provide a basic understanding of the subject disclosure. This summary is not an extensive overview of the subject disclosure. It is not intended to identify key/critical elements or to delineate the scope of the subject disclosure. Its sole purpose is to present some concepts of the subject disclosure in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented later.

One example of the subject disclosure includes a diverter/mixing valve that includes a main outer housing having a first inlet port, a second inlet port, an outlet port and an inner support having a frustoconical shape. The inner support includes a first end that forms a channel around an inner perimeter of the first end and is connected to the first inlet port. The inner support further includes a second end distally located from the first end, a side surface that extends circumferentially from the first end to the second end of the inner support, and inlet openings defined in opposite sides of the side surface. A barrel assembly is rotatably disposed inside the main housing and includes an inner sleeve and an outer sleeve. The inner sleeve has a conical shape and includes a first end slidably disposed in the channel, a second end distally located from the first end, a side surface circumferentially extending from the first end to the second end of the inner sleeve, and inner flow openings defined in opposite sides of the side surface. The inner sleeve mates with the inner support of the main housing when the barrel assembly is inserted into the main housing. A barrel assembly is rotatably disposed inside the main housing and includes an inner sleeve having inner flow openings defined therein and an outer sleeve having outer flow openings defined therein. The inner sleeve has a conical shape and includes a first end slidably disposed in the channel. A second end is distally located from the first end and a side surface is circumferentially extending from the first end to the second end, and inner flow openings are defined in opposite sides of the side surface, the inner sleeve mates with the inner support of the main housing when the barrel assembly is inserted into the main housing. An actuation device is rotatably connected to the inner sleeve of the barrel assembly. The actuation device rotates the barrel assembly between an open end inlet position where a first fluid stream flows into the first inlet port, through the inner sleeve, and out the outlet port and a second fluid stream is blocked from flowing into the second inlet port, and an open side inlet position where the second fluid stream flows into the second inlet port, through the outer sleeve, and out the outlet port and the first fluid stream is blocked from flowing into the first inlet port.

Another example of the subject disclosure includes a diverter/mixing valve that includes a main outer housing having a first inlet port, a second inlet port, an outlet port,. The outer sleeve has a cylindrical shape and includes a first end attached to the first end of the inner sleeve, where the first end of the outer sleeve being slidably disposed in the channel, a second end distally located from the first end, a side surface circumferentially extending from the first end to the second end of the outer sleeve, and outer flow openings defined in opposite sides of the side surface. An actuation device includes a rotating disk rotatably connected to the second end of the inner sleeve of the barrel assembly.

The actuation device rotates the barrel assembly between the open inlet position and the open side inlet position to align the inner flow openings with the inlet openings defined in the inner support of the main housing to allow a first fluid stream to flow into the first inlet port, through the inner sleeve, and out the outlet port and to block a second fluid stream from flowing into the second inlet port. The actuation device also aligns the outer flow openings with the second inlet port of the main housing to allow the second fluid stream to flow into the second inlet port through the outer sleeve and out the outlet port and to block the first fluid stream from flowing into the first inlet port.

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of the specification, illustrate various systems, methods, and other examples of the disclosure. Illustrated element boundaries (e.g., boxes, groups of boxes, or other shapes) in the figures represent one example of the boundaries. In some examples one element may be designed as multiple elements or multiple elements may be designed as one element. In some examples, an element shown as an internal component of another element may be implemented as an external component and vice versa.

The disclosure is now described with reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals are used to refer to like elements throughout. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the subject disclosure. It may be evident, however, that the subject disclosure can be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form in order to facilitate describing the subject disclosure.

While specific characteristics are described herein (e.g., thickness, orientation, configuration, etc.), it is to be understood that the features, functions and benefits of the subject disclosure can employ characteristics that vary from those described herein. These alternatives are to be included within the scope of the disclosure and claims appended hereto.

Disclosed herein is an example axial diverter/mixing valve assembly having a concentric and compact configuration that allows fluid flows (e.g., gas (e.g., air) streams, liquids) from two inlet sources to be mixed into a common single outlet stream. Conversely, the airflow may be reversed such that an incoming single source fluid flow is diverted to one of two outlets or simultaneously to both outlets. The concentric, axial design of the axial diverter/mixing valve results in a compact, lightweight package relative to its performance, which enables its integration into a packaging- and space-challenged vehicle such as aircraft (e.g., controlling airflow as part of an Environmental Control System (ECS) on aircraft) as well as ground-based vehicles. As mentioned above, typical diverting valves are inherently large, which prohibits their use in space-challenged vehicles. Although, the axial diverter/mixing valve assembly has a compact design, it can be scaled to any size to appropriately fit the application.

In addition, the concentric, axial design forms an inherently pressure-balanced design which allows a relatively small actuation device to operate the valve thereby contributing to the compactness of the valve. Still further, the actuation device can be integrated within the physical volume of the valve assembly which further enhances its compactness. Still yet another advantage of the concentric, axial design is ability to produce the valve via an additive manufacturing (3D-printing) process suitable for end-use production parts.

The axial diverter/mixing valve assembly can be used in manned air vehicles as a mixing valve in the ECS to provide temperature conditioning for cockpit environment by variably mixing hot and cold supply airflows. The valve assembly can also divert ECS airflow from floor outlets to face outlets for crew comfort and can provide cockpit humidity control by mixing outside air with inside conditioned airflow. In addition, the axial diverter/mixing valve assembly can also be utilized in unmanned air vehicles to provide temperature-regulated avionics cooling air in lieu of liquid cooling and/or to provide conditioned airflow to keep optical sensor windows clear.

<FIG> is an exploded view of an example axial diverter/mixing valve assembly <NUM> and <FIG> and <FIG> are cross-section views of the example valve assembly <NUM> in a position illustrating where a fluid flows into an end inlet port (open end inlet position) and into a side inlet port (open side inlet position) respectively. In the open end inlet position, the valve assembly <NUM> is in a position where a fluid flows into the valve assembly <NUM> via the end inlet port and the fluid is prohibited from flowing into the valve assembly <NUM> via the side inlet port. In the open side inlet position, the valve assembly <NUM> is in a position where the fluid flows into the valve assembly <NUM> via the side inlet port and the fluid is prohibited from flowing into the valve assembly <NUM> via the end inlet port.

The valve assembly <NUM> includes a main outer housing <NUM>, an outlet housing <NUM>, a barrel assembly <NUM>, and an activation device <NUM>. The barrel assembly <NUM> rotates <NUM> degrees in reference to two inlets to allow fluid flow (e.g., airstream, fluid stream) to flow into either one of the two inlet ports and out through the outlet housing <NUM>. Alternatively, the barrel assembly <NUM> can be rotated to an intermediate setting (e.g., between <NUM> and <NUM> degrees) such that the fluid flow flows though both inlet ports simultaneously, mixes inside the main housing <NUM>, and flows out through the outlet housing <NUM>. In still yet another embodiment, the barrel assembly <NUM> can rotate of <NUM> degrees to allow fluid to flow into the first and/or second inlet ports.

The main housing <NUM> has a circular cross-section shape and can be made from any material such as, but not limited to plastic or metal (e.g., steel, aluminum, etc.). The main housing <NUM> includes a body <NUM>, a first inlet (end inlet) port <NUM> having a first opening (first (end) inlet opening) <NUM>, a second inlet (side inlet) port <NUM> having a second opening (second (side) inlet opening) <NUM>, an outlet port <NUM>, and an inner sleeve/support <NUM>. The first inlet port <NUM> is situated at a first end <NUM> of the body <NUM> and the outlet port <NUM> is situated at a second end <NUM> of the body <NUM>. The second inlet port <NUM> is situated on a side of the body <NUM>. The first and second inlet openings <NUM>, <NUM> have a diameter that is less than a diameter of the body <NUM> of the main housing <NUM>. In addition, the first and second inlet ports <NUM>, <NUM> are configured to receive fluid flow inlet lines from, for example, an air conditioning unit, outside air, etc. The outlet port <NUM> has a diameter that is approximately equal to the diameter of the body <NUM> and is configured to receive the outlet housing <NUM>.

The inner support <NUM> (better illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>) has frustoconical shape that projects and tapers in diameter starting from a first end (base) <NUM> connected to the first inlet port <NUM> and progressing toward a second (apex) end <NUM> near the outlet port <NUM>. In an alternate not claimed embodiment, the inner support <NUM> may have a cylindrical shape. The second end <NUM> has an open ended configuration <NUM>, but may also be a closed ended configuration. The inner support <NUM> has inlet openings <NUM> opposite to each other defined in a side surface <NUM> of the inner support <NUM>. The inlet openings <NUM> work in communication with openings defined in the barrel assembly <NUM> described further below. In addition, the first end <NUM> of the inner support <NUM> has a U-shape configuration to thereby form a channel <NUM> that extends around an inner perimeter of the first end <NUM><NUM> of the main housing <NUM>.

The outlet housing <NUM> has a circular cross-section shape and can be made from any material as the main housing <NUM> such as, but not limited to plastic or metal (e.g., steel, aluminum, etc.). The outlet housing <NUM> includes an inlet connecting portion <NUM> and an outlet portion <NUM>. The inlet connecting portion <NUM> has an inlet connecting portion opening <NUM> that has a diameter slightly less than the diameter of the outlet port <NUM> of the main housing <NUM> such that the inlet connecting portion <NUM> slides into the outlet port <NUM> in the main housing <NUM>. The outlet portion <NUM> has an outlet opening <NUM> that has a diameter less than the diameter of the inlet connecting portion opening <NUM> of the inlet connecting portion <NUM>. Thus, the outlet housing <NUM> tapers from the inlet connecting portion opening <NUM> to the outlet opening <NUM>. Alternatively, the outlet housing <NUM> can have a constant diameter such that the inlet connecting portion opening <NUM> and the outlet opening <NUM> have substantially the same diameter.

The barrel assembly <NUM> has a circular cross-section shape and rotates with respect to the main housing <NUM>. The barrel assembly <NUM> can be made from any material as the main and outlet housings <NUM>, <NUM> such as, but not limited to plastic or metal (e.g., steel, aluminum, etc.). The barrel assembly <NUM> includes an inner (first) sleeve <NUM> and an outer (second) sleeve <NUM>.

The inner sleeve <NUM> has a conical shape that tapers in diameter starting from a first end (base) <NUM> connected to the first inlet port <NUM> and progressing toward a second (apex) end <NUM> near the outlet port <NUM>. in an alternate not claimed embodiment, the inner sleeve <NUM> may have a cylindrical shape. The second end <NUM> has a closed ended configuration that includes a plate <NUM> with an aperture <NUM> defined therein. The inner sleeve <NUM> has inner flow openings <NUM> opposite to each other defined in a side surface <NUM> of the inner sleeve <NUM>. The inner sleeve <NUM> mates with the inner support <NUM> in the main housing <NUM> when the barrel assembly <NUM> is inserted into the main housing <NUM>. Thus, in any given embodiment, the inner support <NUM> of the main housing <NUM> and the inner sleeve <NUM> have the same shape (e.g., conical, cylindrical, etc.) to facilitate mating of the barrel assembly <NUM> inside the main housing <NUM>. In addition, when the barrel assembly <NUM> is inserted into the main housing <NUM>, the inner flow openings <NUM> work in communication with inlet openings <NUM> defined in the inner support <NUM> of the main housing <NUM> to allow fluid to flow into the first inlet port <NUM>. In the example illustrated in the figures, the inner flow openings <NUM> have an isosceles trapezoidal shape and extend from the first end <NUM> to the second end <NUM>. The inner flow openings <NUM> however, can be any shape and can extend between any two points between the first end <NUM> and the second end <NUM>.

The outer sleeve <NUM> has a cylindrical shape and includes outer flow openings <NUM> opposite to each other defined in a side surface <NUM> of the outer sleeve <NUM>. In the example illustrated in the figures, the outer flow openings <NUM> have a rectangular shape and extend from a first (base) end <NUM> connected to the first inlet port <NUM> to a second end <NUM> of the outer sleeve <NUM>. The outer flow openings <NUM> however, can be any shape and can extend between any two points between the first end <NUM> and the second end <NUM>. The outer flow openings <NUM> work in communication with the second inlet port <NUM> in the main housing <NUM> as will be described further below.

The inner and outer sleeves <NUM>, <NUM> can be either an integrated piece of fixed (e.g., welded) at the first ends <NUM>, <NUM> such that the inner and outer sleeves <NUM>, <NUM> slidably rotate in unison in the channel <NUM>. Thus, the first ends <NUM>, <NUM> of the inner and outer sleeves <NUM>, <NUM> are disposed in the channel <NUM> (best shown in <FIG> and <FIG>) that extends around an inner perimeter of the first end <NUM> of the main housing <NUM>. The channel <NUM> secures the first ends <NUM>, <NUM> of the inner and outer sleeves <NUM>, <NUM> during rotation of the barrel assembly <NUM>.

The actuation device <NUM> is located in the outlet housing <NUM> and mounts to supports <NUM> (see <FIG>) inside the outlet housing <NUM>. The actuation device <NUM> includes a rotating disk <NUM> that attaches to the plate <NUM> of the second end <NUM> of the inner sleeve <NUM>. When a user actuates the actuation device <NUM> via an external controller, the disk <NUM> rotates thereby rotating the barrel assembly <NUM> to the desired position. The configuration of the valve assembly <NUM> and the barrel assembly <NUM> create a balance of pressure around the barrel assembly <NUM> inside the main housing <NUM>. The pressure balance acts on the barrel assembly <NUM> and as a result, very little force is required to rotate the barrel assembly <NUM>. Therefore, the actuation device <NUM> can be small device to accommodate the compactness of the valve assembly <NUM>. For example, the actuation device <NUM> can be a radio controlled servo, an electronic actuator, a hydraulic actuator, a pneumatic actuator, a small motor, etc..

<FIG> is a side perspective view of the example valve assembly <NUM> in the open end inlet position illustrating a first fluid flow path FFP1 into the first inlet port <NUM> via the end inlet opening <NUM> and out the outlet opening <NUM> (the actuation device <NUM> is not shown for clarity). In the open end inlet position, a first fluid stream FFS (e.g., gas, liquid) (see <FIG>) flows into the end inlet port <NUM> from an external source (e.g., air conditioner, outside air, etc.). Specifically, in the open end inlet position, the barrel assembly <NUM> is rotated such that the inner flow openings <NUM> of the inner sleeve <NUM> are aligned with the inlet openings <NUM> in the inner support <NUM>. In addition, the outer flow openings <NUM> defined in the side surface <NUM> of the outer sleeve <NUM> are not aligned with the side inlet opening <NUM>. Thus, as illustrated by the first fluid flow path FFP1, the first fluid stream FFS travels into the first inlet port <NUM> via the end inlet opening <NUM> into and through the first end <NUM> of the inner sleeve <NUM> and out each inner flow opening <NUM> defined in the side surface <NUM> of the inner sleeve <NUM>. The first fluid stream FFS continues to travel out of the barrel assembly <NUM> into the outlet housing <NUM> and out of the outlet opening <NUM>. In addition, any other fluid stream is blocked from entering the main housing <NUM> through the side inlet port <NUM> due to the side surface <NUM> of the outer sleeve being aligned with the side inlet opening <NUM>.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the first fluid stream FFS follows the first fluid flow path FFP1 into the first inlet port <NUM> via the end inlet opening <NUM> and into the first end <NUM> of the inner sleeve <NUM>. The first fluid stream FFS then splits and exits each inner flow opening <NUM> on opposite sides of the inner sleeve <NUM>. The first fluid stream FFS then travels around the plate <NUM> of the inner sleeve <NUM> and out the outlet opening <NUM>. When the first fluid stream FFS splits, the first fluid stream FFS creates a pressure on each side of the barrel assembly <NUM>, which in turn pressure balances the barrel assembly <NUM>. Thus, the forces acting on the barrel assembly <NUM> balance the barrel assembly <NUM> such that the barrel assembly <NUM> is concentric with respect to the main housing <NUM> and is easily rotated about a central axis A. As a result, the pressure balancing facilitates ease of rotation of the barrel assembly <NUM> between the open end inlet position and the open side inlet position.

<FIG> is a side view of the example valve assembly <NUM> in the open side inlet position illustrating a second fluid flow path FFP2 into the second inlet port <NUM> via the side inlet opening <NUM><NUM> and out the outlet opening <NUM> (the actuation device <NUM> is not shown for clarity). In the open side inlet position, a second fluid stream SFS (e.g., gas, liquid) (see <FIG>) flows into the second inlet port <NUM> via the side inlet opening <NUM> from an external source (e.g., air conditioner, outside air, etc.). Specifically, in the open side inlet position, the barrel assembly <NUM> is rotated such that the outer flow openings <NUM> of the outer sleeve <NUM> are aligned with the second inlet opening <NUM> of the main housing <NUM>. In addition, the inner flow openings <NUM> defined in the side surface <NUM> of the inner sleeve <NUM> are not aligned with the inlet openings <NUM> of the inner support <NUM>. In other words, the inlet openings <NUM> of the inner support <NUM> are blocked by the side surface <NUM> of the inner sleeve <NUM> and the inner flow openings <NUM> in the side surface <NUM> are blocked by the side surface <NUM> of the inner support. Thus, the first fluid stream FFS is unable to flow through the valve assembly <NUM> via the first inlet port <NUM>.

As illustrated by the second fluid flow path FFP2 in <FIG>, the second fluid stream SFS travels into the second inlet port <NUM> via the side inlet opening <NUM> and splits into three paths as illustrated by the solid line and the two dotted lines. Specifically, a main portion of the second fluid stream SFS follows the solid line into the outer flow opening <NUM> and out the outlet opening <NUM>. The remaining second fluid stream SFS splits and travels around the outside of the side surface <NUM> of the outer sleeve <NUM> (i.e., between the outer sleeve <NUM> and an inside surface of the main housing <NUM>) to the opposite outer flow opening <NUM>. Both split fluid paths (dotted lines) then travel into the opposite outer flow opening <NUM> and out the outlet opening <NUM>. When the second fluid stream SFS splits, the fluid creates a balance of pressure around the barrel assembly <NUM>, which in turn pressure balances the barrel assembly <NUM>. Thus, the forces acting on the barrel assembly <NUM> balance the barrel assembly <NUM> such that the barrel assembly <NUM> is concentric with respect to the main housing <NUM> and is easily rotated about a central axis A. As a result, the pressure balancing facilitates ease of rotation of the barrel assembly <NUM> between the open end inlet position and the open side inlet position.

Alternatively, the axial diverter/mixing valve <NUM> can operate in reverse where a fluid stream enters the outlet opening <NUM> in the outlet housing <NUM> and is diverted out the first inlet port <NUM> or out the second inlet port <NUM> or out both the first and second inlet ports <NUM>, <NUM> simultaneously. Still further, in yet another embodiment the valve assembly <NUM> can be used as a mixing valve where the barrel assembly <NUM> rotates to an intermediate position between the open end position and the open side position. In the intermediate position, the incoming first and second fluid streams enter the first and second inlet ports <NUM>, <NUM> simultaneously and are combined (mixed) inside the main housing and diverted through the outlet opening <NUM>.

Claim 1:
A diverter/mixing valve (<NUM>) comprising:
a main outer housing (<NUM>) having a first inlet port (<NUM>), a second inlet port (<NUM>), an outlet port (<NUM>), and an inner support (<NUM>) having a frustoconical shape, a first end (<NUM>) connected to the first inlet port (<NUM>) of the main housing (<NUM>) that forms a channel (<NUM>) disposed around an inner perimeter of the first end (<NUM>) of the main housing (<NUM>), a second end (<NUM>) distally located from the first end (<NUM>), a side surface (<NUM>) that extends circumferentially from the first end (<NUM>) to the second end (<NUM>), and inlet openings (<NUM>) defined in opposite sides of the side surface (<NUM>);
a barrel assembly (<NUM>) rotatably disposed inside the main housing (<NUM>), the barrel assembly (<NUM>) including an inner sleeve (<NUM>) having inner flow openings (<NUM>) defined therein and an outer sleeve (<NUM>) having outer flow openings (<NUM>) defined therein, the inner sleeve (<NUM>) having a conical shape and includes a first end (<NUM>) slidably disposed in the channel (<NUM>), a second end (<NUM>) distally located from the first end (<NUM>) , a side surface (<NUM>) circumferentially extending from the first end (<NUM>) to the second end (<NUM>), and inner flow openings (<NUM>) defined in opposite sides of the side surface (<NUM>), the inner sleeve (<NUM>) mating with the inner support (<NUM>) of the main housing (<NUM>) when the barrel assembly (<NUM>) is inserted into the main housing (<NUM>);
and
an actuation device (<NUM>) rotatably connected to the inner sleeve (<NUM>) of the barrel assembly (<NUM>) , the actuation device (<NUM>) rotating the barrel assembly (<NUM>) between an open end inlet position where a first fluid stream flows into the first inlet port (<NUM>), through the inner sleeve (<NUM>), and out the outlet port (<NUM>) and a second fluid stream (SFS) is blocked from flowing into the second inlet port (<NUM>), and an open side inlet position where the second fluid stream (SFS) flows into the second inlet port (<NUM>), through the outer sleeve (<NUM>), and out the outlet port (<NUM>) and the first fluid stream (FFS) is blocked from flowing into the first inlet port (<NUM>).