Bypass valve and hydraulic unit including such a valve

• US 9,683,677 B2
• Filed: 08/31/2015
• Issued: 06/20/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 09/01/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Fratelli Pettinaroli S.p.A. (Investomec SA)
• Original Assignee: Fratelli Pettinaroli S.p.A. (Investomec SA)
• Inventors: Pettinaroli, Giulio, D'Andrea, Sergio
• Primary Examiner(s): FOX, JOHN C
• Application Number:
  US14/840,594
• Publication Number:
  US 20160061350A1
• Time in Patent Office: 659 Days
• Field of Search: 137597, 13762547, 137887
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 1/52 Means for additional adjustment of the rate of flow
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 11/205 with two handles at right angles to each other
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 27/067 with spherical plugs
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 31/60 Handles form, features or function of taps or faucet handles for domestic plumbing installations E03C1/04
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 43/00 Auxiliary closure means in valves, which in case of repair, e.g. rewashering, of the valve, can take over the function of the normal closure means; Devices for temporary replacement of parts of valves for the same purpose
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 5/06 with plugs having spherical surfaces; Packings therefor
• CPC Class Codes: F24D 2220/0242 Multiple way valves

Abstract

A bypass valve is described comprising a delivery duct, a return duct and a central duct connecting the delivery and return ducts for the circulation of a heat-exchange fluid. A first ball valve is placed along the delivery duct and a second ball valve is placed along the return duct, at the intersection between the central duct and the delivery and return ducts. The rotation axes of the balls of the ball valves are perpendicular to each other.

Claims

1. A bypass valve comprising a delivery duct and a return duct for a heat-exchange fluid, a first ball valve placed along the delivery duct, a second ball valve placed along the return duct, and a central duct connecting said delivery and return ducts at said ball valves, characterized in that the rotation axes of the balls of said ball valves are perpendicular to each other.

2. The bypass valve according to claim 1, in which the delivery duct, the return duct and the central duct connecting them are made in a single body.

3. The bypass valve according to claim 1, wherein the valve is made in two versions specular to each other, starting from the same single rough body.

4. The bypass valve according to claim 1, wherein inside each ball of said ball valves there is a main channel arranged between two opposite inlet/outlet ports for said heat-exchange fluid, and at least one first auxiliary channel fluidically connecting said main channel to a third inlet/outlet port for said fluid, the axes of said main channel and said auxiliary channel being perpendicular to the rotation axis of the ball.

5. The bypass valve according to claim 4, wherein at least one of said balls further comprises a second auxiliary channel having the axis coincident with the rotation axis of the ball in order to fluidically connect said main channel and said first auxiliary channel to a fourth inlet/outlet port for said heat-exchange fluid.

6. A hydraulic unit for connecting a terminal unit of an air conditioning system by means of delivery and return ducts, characterized by comprising a bypass valve according to claim 1.

7. The hydraulic unit according to claim 6, wherein at least one balancing valve is connected along at least one of the delivery and return ducts.

8. The hydraulic unit according to claim 6, wherein at least one removable Venturi device is connected along at least one of the delivery and return ducts.