Thermostatic expansion valve with check valve

Abstract

A valve is provided that comprises a valve body including an inlet, an outlet, and a check valve chamber having an opening through the side of the valve body. The valve has a cover secured within the side opening in the valve body. A first valve opening is disposed between the inlet chamber and outlet chamber. A control valve is movable relative to the first valve opening to regulate fluid flow through the first opening when fluid flow is in the inlet-to-outlet direction, and is movable to engage the first valve opening to restrict fluid flow in the outlet-to-inlet direction. The valve comprises a second valve opening disposed between the check valve chamber and the outlet chamber. A check valve member is movable relative to the second valve opening to restrict forward flow and permit reverse flow through the second valve opening.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description and the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional side view of one embodiment of a thermostatic expansion valve in accordance to the principles of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional side view of a second embodiment of a thermostatic expansion valve in accordance to the principles of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional side view of a third embodiment of a thermostatic expansion valve in accordance to the principles of the present disclosure;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional side view of a fourth embodiment of a thermostatic expansion valve in accordance to the principles of the present disclosure; and

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional side view of a fifth embodiment of a thermostatic expansion valve in accordance to the principles of the present disclosure.

Claims

1. A valve for controlling bidirectional flow of fluid through the valve comprising: a valve body having an inlet chamber and an outlet chamber;a first valve opening disposed between the inlet chamber and outlet chamber;a second valve opening disposed between the inlet chamber and outlet chamber;a control valve element being movable relative to the first valve opening to regulate the rate of fluid flow from the inlet through the outlet, and being movable to sealingly engage the first valve opening to restrict fluid flow through the first valve opening;a check valve member having a generally flat portion and at least one aligning member projecting therefrom, the check valve member being movable relative to the second valve opening in response to fluid pressure acting against the flat portion, wherein said check valve member is movable to engage the second valve opening to prevent fluid flow through the second valve opening when fluid flow is in the inlet-to-outlet direction, and is movable to permit fluid flow through the second valve opening to the inlet when fluid flow is in the outlet-to-inlet direction;wherein the at least one aligning member is slidably disposed within at least one slot within the valve body.

2. The valve of claim 1, wherein fluid pressure acting against the surface area of the check valve member holds the check valve member against the second valve opening, to restrict fluid flow from the inlet through the second valve opening to the outlet when fluid is flowing in an inlet-to-outlet direction.

3. The valve of claim 1, wherein the at least one aligning member is adapted to guide the movement of the second valve element relative to the second valve opening.

4. The valve of claim 3, wherein the at least one aligning member extends from the flat portion in a direction generally parallel with the direction of movement of the check valve member.

5. The valve of claim 4, wherein the at least one aligning member extends from the flat portion in a direction generally orthogonal to flat portion of the check valve member that engages the second valve opening.

6. The valve of claim 1 wherein the check valve member further comprises a raised portion in the center of the flat portion, which is adapted to limit the extent of movement of the check valve member away from the second valve opening.

7. The valve of claim 1 wherein the at least one aligning member comprises at least two members projecting from the flat portion of the check valve member.

8. The valve of claim 1 further comprising a cover plate secured to the body for enclosing a chamber in which the check valve member is disposed.

9. The valve of claim 8 wherein the cover plate is secured within the valve body side chamber by a means selected from one of a group consisting of an interference press fit, an adhesive, an ultrasonic weld, or a weld.

10. A valve for controlling bidirectional flow of fluid, comprising: a valve body having an inlet chamber, an outlet chamber, a side chamber, and a passageway between the inlet chamber and side chamber, the passageway being entirely disposed within the valve body;a first valve opening disposed between the inlet chamber and outlet chamber;a second valve opening disposed between the side chamber and outlet chamber;a control valve element movable relative to the first valve opening to regulate fluid flow from the inlet through the outlet when fluid flow is in the inlet-to-outlet direction, the control valve element being movable to sealingly engage the first valve opening when fluid flow is in the outlet-to-inlet direction;a check valve member having a generally flat portion and at least one aligning member projecting therefrom and slidably disposed within at least one slot in the valve body, the check valve member being movable relative to the second valve opening in response to fluid pressure acting against the flat portion, said check valve member being movable to restrict fluid flow through the second valve opening when fluid flow is in the inlet-to-outlet direction, and movable to permit fluid flow through the second valve opening to the inlet chamber when fluid flow is in the outlet-to-inlet direction, wherein the at least one aligning member is configured to guide the movement of the check valve member relative to the second valve opening.

11. The valve of claim 10, wherein fluid pressure acting against the surface area of the check valve member holds the check valve member against the second valve opening, to restrict fluid flow from the inlet through the second valve opening to the outlet when fluid is flowing in an inlet-to-outlet direction.

12. The valve of claim 10, wherein the at least one aligning member extends from the flat portion in a direction generally parallel with the direction of movement of the check valve member.

13. The valve of claim 12, wherein the at least one aligning member extends from the flat portion in a direction generally orthogonal to flat portion of the check valve member that engages the second valve opening.

14. The valve of claim 13 wherein the check valve member further comprises a raised portion that extends opposite the at least one aligning member, and is adapted to limit the extent of movement of the check valve member away from the second valve opening.

15. The valve of claim 10 wherein the at least one aligning member comprises at least two members projecting from the flat portion of the check valve member.

16. The valve of claim 10, further comprising a cover secured to the valve body for enclosing and sealing off the side chamber.

17. The valve of claim 16 wherein the cover plate is secured within the valve body side chamber by a means selected from one of a group consisting of an interference press fit, an adhesive, an ultrasonic weld, or a weld.

18. A check valve member comprising: a generally flat portion configured to seal against a valve opening within a valve body to restrict fluid flow therethrough, and at least one aligning member projecting from the flat portion in a direction generally orthogonal to flat portion, wherein the at least one aligning member is adapted to be received within at least one slot in a valve body to guide the movement of the check valve member relative to a valve opening within the valve body.

19. The check valve of claim 18 wherein the generally flat portion has a sufficient surface area on one side for enabling fluid pressure acting there against to cause the generally flat portion to seal against an opening within a valve body to restrict fluid flow therethrough.

20. The check valve of claim 19 further comprising a raised portion that extends opposite the at least one aligning member, the raised portion being adapted to limit the extent of movement of the check valve member when disposed within a valve body.