Axial three-way modulating valve
A valve assembly includes a valve body defining a cylindrical passage therein about an axis. An inlet port is defined in or near a first end of the valve body. First and second outlet ports are defined in the valve body extending radially outward from the cylindrical passage. A cylindrical valve spool having a central passage is positioned within, and sealingly engaged with, the cylindrical passage. The valve spool is moveable along the axis among: a first position wherein the inlet port is in fluid communication with the first outlet port but not the second outlet port, a second position wherein the inlet port is in fluid communication with the second outlet port but not the first outlet port, and an intermediate position between the first and second positions wherein the inlet port is in fluid communication with both of the first and second outlet ports.
1 . A valve assembly comprising:
a valve body defining a cylindrical passage therein disposed about a longitudinal axis of the valve body;
an inlet port defined in the valve body;
a plurality of outlet ports defined in the valve body; and
a cylindrical valve spool positioned within, and sealingly engaged with, the cylindrical passage, the valve spool defining a central passage therethrough,
wherein the valve spool is moveable along the longitudinal axis among:
a first position wherein the inlet port is in fluid communication with a first outlet port of the plurality of outlet ports but not a second outlet port of the plurality of outlet ports,
a second position wherein the inlet port is in fluid communication with the second outlet port but not the first outlet port, and
an intermediate position between the first position and the second position wherein the inlet port is in fluid communication with both of the first outlet port and the second outlet port, and
wherein:
as the valve spool moves into the first position, the valve spool slidingly circumferentially engages a circumferential seal arrangement forming a seal between the valve spool and the valve body; and
as the valve spool moves out of the first position, the valve spool slidingly circumferentially disengages the circumferential seal arrangement.
2 . The valve assembly of claim 1 , wherein:
as the valve spool moves into the second position the valve spool slidingly circumferentially engages a second circumferential seal arrangement forming a seal between the valve spool and the valve body; and
as the valve spool moves out of the second position the valve spool slidingly circumferentially disengages the second circumferential seal arrangement.
3 . The valve assembly of claim 1 , wherein the inlet port is defined in or near a first end of the valve body.
4 . The valve assembly of claim 1 , wherein each outlet port extends radially with respect to the longitudinal axis outward from the cylindrical passage.
5 . The valve assembly of claim 1 , further comprising a linear drive coupled to the valve spool, wherein the linear drive is structured to selectively position the valve spool among the first position, the second position, and the intermediate position.
6 . The valve assembly of claim 5 , wherein valve spool comprises a dowel pin extending across the central passage, and wherein the linear drive is coupled to the valve spool via the dowel pin.
7 . The valve assembly of claim 1 , wherein the valve body comprises an end cap selectively coupled to the remainder of the valve body and wherein the inlet port is defined in the end cap.
8 . The valve assembly of claim 7 , wherein the end cap is selectively coupled to the remainder of the valve body via a threaded connection.
9 . The valve assembly of claim 7 , further comprising a sight glass selectively coupled to a port formed in the valve body.
10 . A valve assembly comprising:
a valve body defining a cylindrical passage therein disposed about a longitudinal axis of the valve body;
an inlet port defined in the valve body;
a plurality of outlet ports defined in the valve body; and
a cylindrical valve spool positioned within, and sealingly engaged with, the cylindrical passage, the valve spool defining a central passage therethrough,
wherein the valve spool is moveable along the longitudinal axis among:
a first position wherein the inlet port is in fluid communication with a first outlet port of the plurality of outlet ports but not a second outlet port of the plurality of outlet ports,
a second position wherein the inlet port is in fluid communication with the second outlet port but not the first outlet port, and
an intermediate position between the first position and the second position wherein the inlet port is in fluid communication with both of the first outlet port and the second outlet port, and
wherein the valve spool includes a first end and a second end disposed opposite the first end, and wherein at least one of the first end and/or the second end includes a number of tapered notches defined therein.
11 . The valve assembly of claim 10 , wherein the number of notches comprises a plurality of notches.
12 . The valve assembly of claim 10 , wherein each of the first end and the second end includes a number of tapered notches defined therein.
13 . The valve assembly of claim 12 , wherein the number of notches comprises a plurality of notches.
14 . A refrigeration system including a valve assembly comprising:
a valve body defining a cylindrical passage therein disposed about a longitudinal axis of the valve body;
an inlet port defined in the valve body;
a plurality of outlet ports defined in the valve body; and
a cylindrical valve spool positioned within, and sealingly engaged with, the cylindrical passage, the valve spool defining a central passage therethrough,
wherein the valve spool is moveable along the longitudinal axis among:
a first position wherein the inlet port is in fluid communication with a first outlet port of the plurality of outlet ports but not a second outlet port of the plurality of outlet ports,
a second position wherein the inlet port is in fluid communication with the second outlet port but not the first outlet port, and
an intermediate position between the first position and the second position wherein the inlet port is in fluid communication with both of the first outlet port and the second outlet port, and
wherein:
as the valve spool moves into the first position the valve spool slidingly circumferentially engages a circumferential seal arrangement forming a seal between the valve spool and the valve body; and
as the valve spool moves out of the first position the valve spool slidingly circumferentially disengages the circumferential seal arrangement.
15 . The refrigeration system of claim 14 , wherein:
as the valve spool moves into the second position the valve spool slidingly engages a second circumferential seal arrangement forming a seal between the valve spool and the valve body; and
as the valve spool moves out of the second position the valve spool slidingly disengages the second circumferential seal arrangement.
16 . The refrigeration system of claim 14 , wherein the valve spool includes a first end and a second end disposed opposite the first end, and wherein at least one of the first end and/or the second end includes a number of tapered notches defined therein.
17 . The refrigeration system of claim 16 , wherein each of the first end and the second end includes a number of tapered notches defined therein.