US 12,385,570 B2
Multi-way valve with dual actuators
George J. Mitri, Connersville, IN (US); John C. Long, Connersville, IN (US); and Rick McQuiston, Connersville, IN (US)
Assigned to Stant USA Corp., Connersville, IN (US)
Filed by Stant USA Corp., Connersville, IN (US)
Filed on Jan. 10, 2024, as Appl. No. 18/409,295.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/438,111, filed on Jan. 10, 2023.
Prior Publication US 2024/0229944 A1, Jul. 11, 2024
Int. Cl. F16K 11/085 (2006.01); F16K 25/00 (2006.01)
CPC F16K 11/085 (2013.01) [F16K 25/005 (2013.01)] 29 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A multi-way valve comprising
a valve housing coupled to a manifold of thermal fluid circuits, the valve housing including a valve housing body, a first housing end cover coupled to a first end of the valve housing body, and a second housing end cover coupled to a second end of the valve housing spaced apart axially from the first end of the valve housing relative to a valve axis, the valve housing body shaped to define a first valve cavity, a second valve cavity in fluid communication with the first valve cavity, and a plurality of apertures that open into the first and second valve cavities, the first housing end cover coupled to the first end of the valve housing to close a first end opening to the first valve cavity, and the second housing end cover coupled to the second end of the valve housing to close a second end opening to the second valve cavity, and
a valve flow controller includes a first valve rotor arranged in the first valve cavity of the valve housing body and configured to rotate relative to the valve housing body about the valve axis, a second valve rotor arranged in the second valve cavity of the valve housing body and configured to rotate relative to the valve housing body about the valve axis, a first actuator coupled to the first valve rotor to drive rotation of the first valve rotor about the valve axis, and a second actuator coupled to the second valve rotor to drive rotation of the second valve rotor about the valve axis,
wherein the first and second valve rotors cooperate to define a plurality of flow paths when the first and second valve rotors are rotated about the valve axis to a plurality of different predetermined positions to control a flow of fluid through the valve housing, and
wherein the valve housing body includes an annular outer wall that extends around the valve axis to define a hollow space, a partition wall located in the hollow space of the annular outer wall to divide the hollow space into the first valve cavity and the second valve cavity, and a housing base that extends from the annular outer wall and formed to define the plurality of apertures, and wherein the partition wall is formed to include a connecting aperture in fluid communication with the first valve cavity and the second valve cavity of the valve housing body.