Multiway valve
A multiway valve contains a housing having several inlets and outlets and a chamber. Several seats are provided and each is respectively associated with one inlet or one outlet. A closure element is provided which can move between the seats and at least one actuator is provided in the form of an element made of a form memory alloy, able to displace the closure element from one of the seats when heating occurs. A spring element presses the closure element against each respective seat that it engages.
1. A multiway valve, comprising:
a housing having an inlet and a plurality of outlets and at least one common chamber formed therein;
a plurality of seats each associated with one of said inlet or said outlets;
a closing member movable between said seats and disposed in said housing;
at least one actuator being an element formed of a form memory alloy, said element being capable, under heating, to displace said closing member onto one of said seats;
a spring element for pressing said closing member against each of said seats occupied by said closing member in each case; and
wherein said actuator is a curved body with a convex side facing said closing member, said curved body being lengthened under heating.
2. The multiway valve according to claim 1 , wherein said spring element is a leaf spring.
3. The multiway valve according to claim 2 , wherein said spring element has a plurality of stable positions, and said spring element presses said closing member against one of said seats in each of the stable positions.
4. The multiway valve according to claim 1 , wherein said closing member is movable between two of said seats facing one another, and said spring element is capable of assuming two stable positions, said spring element having a convex curvature facing one of said seats in each of the stable positions.
5. A multiway valve, comprising:
a housing having an inlet and a plurality of outlets and at least one common chamber formed therein;
a plurality of seats each associated with one of said inlet or said outlets;
a closing member movable between said seats and disposed in said housing;
at least one actuator being an element formed of a form memory alloy, said element being capable, under heating, to displace said closing member onto one of said seats;
a spring element for pressing said closing member against each of said seats occupied by said closing member in each case;
said housing has a sidewall with one of said seats disposed therein;
said spring element and said actuator are accommodated in said common chamber, said actuator is disposed between said sidewall of said housing and said spring element; and
wherein said actuator has an orifice formed therein through which said closing member can be moved for closing or opening said seats.
6. The multiway valve according to claim 5 , wherein:
said housing has sidewalls; and
two of said seats are disposed in diametrically opposite side walls of said housing.
7. A multiway valve, comprising:
a housing having an inlet and a plurality of outlets and at least one common chamber formed therein;
a plurality of seats each associated with one of said inlet or said outlets;
a closing member movable between said seats and disposed in said housing;
at least one actuator being an element formed of a form memory alloy, said element being capable, under heating, to displace said closing member onto one of said seats;
a spring element for pressing said closing member against each of said seats occupied by said closing member in each case;
an electrical heating device connected to said actuator for selective heating of said actuator; and
wherein said heating device is a heating resistor extending on a surface of said actuator.
8. The multiway valve according to claim 7 , wherein said heating device can be cooled in direct contact by a fluid flowing through the valve.