Fluid distribution valve

1. A fluid distribution valve, comprising:

a valve housing defining a fluid distribution chamber, the valve housing including a top wall connected to a side wall;

a valve head movably arranged in said fluid distribution chamber, the valve head being connected to a valve stem;

a plurality of first fluid ports defined by a plurality of first channels through the side wall of the valve housing, the plurality of first fluid ports being configured to fluidly connect a low-pressure fluid reservoir or a high-pressure fluid manifold to the fluid distribution chamber;

a plurality of second fluid ports defined by a plurality of second channels through the side wall of the valve housing, the plurality of second fluid ports being configured to fluidly connect a low-pressure fluid reservoir or a high-pressure fluid manifold to the fluid distribution chamber; and

a third fluid port configured to fluidly connect a pumping cavity to the fluid distribution chamber;

wherein the top wall of the valve housing is positioned opposite the third fluid port and the side wall of the valve housing is positioned circumferentially about the valve stem;

wherein the plurality of first channels and the plurality of second channels are alternatingly disposed around a circumference of the fluid distribution valve;

wherein each of the first fluid ports, the second fluid ports and the third fluid port is connected to the fluid distribution chamber;

wherein said second fluid ports are configured to be selectively connected to said first fluid ports and/or said third fluid port through said distribution chamber; and

wherein said valve head is movable between a first position and a second position;

wherein said third fluid port is fluidly connected to said first fluid ports when said valve head is in said first position;

wherein said third fluid port is fluidly connected to said first fluid ports and said second fluid ports when said valve head is in said second position;

wherein said third fluid port's connection to the distribution chamber is not arranged between said first fluid ports' connections to the distribution chamber and said second fluid ports' connection to the distribution chamber; and

wherein said third fluid port is fluidly connected to said distribution chamber independent of the current state of the fluid distribution valve.

2. The fluid distribution valve according to claim 1 , wherein at least said first fluid ports or said second fluid ports are fluidly connected to said fluid distribution chamber independent of the current state of the fluid distribution valve.

3. The fluid distribution valve according to claim 1 , wherein the at least one valve head is designed as a one-piece unit.

4. The fluid distribution valve according to claim 1 , wherein said fluid distribution chamber is designed in a way that it shows at least two sub-chambers, being distinguishable from each other.

5. The fluid distribution valve according to claim 1 , wherein said at least one valve head is shaped in a radially extended manner.

6. The fluid distribution valve according to claim 1 , wherein at least said first fluid ports and/or said second fluid ports and/or said third fluid port comprises at least one axially arranged access port to said fluid distribution chamber.

7. The fluid distribution valve according to claim 1 , wherein at least said first fluid ports and/or said second fluid ports and/or said third fluid port comprises at least one access port.

8. The fluid distribution valve according to claim 1 , further comprising a valve arranged in a fluid channel fluidly connected to at least one of said first, second and/or third fluid ports.

9. The fluid distribution valve according to claim 1 , wherein the fluid distribution valve is designed and arranged as a distribution valve for liquids.

10. The fluid distribution valve according to claim 1 , wherein the first channels fluidly connect said first fluid ports to said fluid distribution chamber;

wherein the second channels fluidly connect said second fluid ports to said fluid distribution chamber; and

wherein at least a portion of said first channels are radially closer to a longitudinal axis of said valve head than at least a portion of said second channels.

11. The fluid distribution valve according to claim 1 , wherein said valve head is at least in part reversibly deformable and/or elastic.

12. The fluid distribution valve according to claim 11 , wherein said reversibly deformable and/or elastic part of said valve head is arranged at least in part circumferentially on said valve head.

13. The fluid distribution valve according to claim 1 , further comprising at least one valve actuator for moving the valve head in said fluid distribution chamber.

14. The fluid distribution valve according to claim 13 , wherein an actuating unit of said valve actuator is fluidly separated from said fluid distribution chamber and/or said first fluid ports and/or said second fluid ports and/or said third fluid port.

15. A pumping cylinder arrangement, comprising:

a hollow cylinder for cooperation with a piston; and

a fluid distribution valve according to claim 1 arranged on said hollow cylinder.

16. The pumping cylinder arrangement according to claim 15 , wherein said third fluid port of said fluid distribution valve is fluidly connected with said hollow cylinder.

17. A fluid working machine, comprising:

a high-pressure fluid manifold;

a pumping cylinder arrangement including a hollow cylinder and a piston reciprocatingly moving in the hollow cylinder; and

a fluid distribution valve comprising:

a valve housing defining a fluid distribution chamber, the valve housing including a top wall connected to a side wall;

a valve head movably arranged in said fluid distribution chamber, the valve head being connected to a valve stem;

a plurality of outlet fluid ports defined by a plurality of outlet channels through the side wall of the valve housing, the outlet fluid ports fluidly connecting the high-pressure fluid manifold to the fluid distribution chamber;

a plurality of inlet fluid ports defined by a plurality of inlet channels through the side wall of the valve housing, the inlet fluid ports being fluidly connected to the fluid distribution chamber;

a changeover fluid port configured to fluidly connect the hollow cylinder to the fluid distribution chamber;

wherein the top wall of the valve housing is positioned opposite the changeover fluid port and the side wall of the valve housing is positioned circumferentially about the valve stem;

wherein the plurality of inlet channels and the plurality of outlet channels are alternatingly disposed about a circumference of the fluid distribution valve;

wherein each of the outlet fluid ports, the inlet fluid ports and the changeover fluid port is connected to the fluid distribution chamber;

wherein said inlet fluid ports are configured to be selectively connected to said outlet fluid ports and/or said changeover fluid port through said distribution chamber; and

wherein said valve head is movable between a first position and a second position;

wherein said changeover fluid port is fluidly connected to said outlet fluid ports when said valve head is in said first position;

wherein said changeover fluid port is fluidly connected to said outlet fluid ports and said inlet fluid ports when said valve head is in said second position;

wherein said changeover fluid port's connection to the distribution chamber is not arranged between said outlet fluid ports' connections to the distribution chamber and said inlet fluid ports' connections to the distribution chamber;

wherein said changeover fluid port is fluidly connected to said distribution chamber independent of the current state of the fluid distribution valve.

18. The fluid working machine according to claim 17 , wherein said fluid working machine is at least partially designed as a hydraulic working machine.

19. The fluid working machine according to claim 17 , wherein the inlet fluid ports are positioned closer to the changeover fluid port than the outlet fluid ports.

20. The fluid working machine according to claim 17 , wherein the outlet channels fluidly connect said outlet fluid ports to said fluid distribution chamber;

wherein the inlet channels fluidly connect said inlet fluid ports to said fluid distribution chamber; and

wherein at least a portion of said outlet channels are radially closer to a longitudinal axis of said valve head than at least a portion of said inlet channels.