Spool valve and method
View Patent ↗A valve ( 200 ) for routing a fluid includes a housing ( 220 ) having an inlet ( 222 ) and at least one outlet port ( 224 ). A valve member ( 218 ) is located in the housing ( 220 ). The valve ( 218 ) member has a wall ( 232 ) enclosing a cavity ( 230 ). A plurality of inlet openings ( 234 ) is formed in the wall ( 232 ). At least one of the plurality of inlet openings ( 234 ) fluidly connects the inlet ( 222 ) of the housing ( 220 ) with the cavity ( 230 ), and the at least one outlet port ( 224 ) may be selectively fluidly connected to the cavity ( 230 ).
1. A valve for routing a fluid, comprising:
a housing having an inlet and at least one outlet port;
a valve member disposed in the housing, the valve member having:
a wall enclosing a cavity;
a plurality of inlet openings disposed in the wall, wherein at least one of the plurality of inlet openings fluidly connects the inlet of the housing with the cavity; and
wherein at least one outlet port is selectively fluidly connected to the cavity;
an outlet opening disposed at a distal end of the valve member;
a first header and a second header disposed around the valve element;
wherein each of the first header and second header has a tapered surface fashioned thereon and the tapered surface on each of the first header and the second header is arranged to mate with a corresponding tapered surface disposed around the outlet opening of the valve member.
2. The valve of claim 1 ; wherein the outlet opening selectively connects the cavity with at least one outlet port.
3. The valve of claim 1 , further comprising a shaft connected to the valve member.
4. The valve of claim 1 , further comprising an annular passage in the housing, wherein the annular passage is operatively associated with the plurality of inlet openings of the valve member.
5. A valve for routing a fluid, comprising:
a housing having an inlet and at least one outlet port;
a valve member disposed in the housing, the valve member having:
a wall enclosing a cavity;
wherein the wall has a lip section with a tapered surface around an opening at a distal end of the valve member; and
wherein the tapered surface is arranged to sealably contact a corresponding tapered surface on a header piece, the header piece disposed adjacent to and in selectable contact with the valve member
a plurality of inlet openings disposed in the wall, wherein at least one of the plurality of inlet openings fluidly connects the inlet of the housing with the cavity; and
wherein the at least one outlet port is selectively fluidly connected to the cavity.