US 12,480,600 B2
Refrigerant control valve with an enhanced flow modulating plug configuration
Michael W. Trumbower, Fort Wayne, IN (US); and Gordon R. Coates, III, Augusta, MO (US)
Assigned to Parker-Hannifin Corporation, Cleveland, OH (US)
Filed by Parker-Hannifin Corporation, Cleveland, OH (US)
Filed on May 17, 2024, as Appl. No. 18/667,022.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/567,069, filed on Mar. 19, 2024.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/600,235, filed on Nov. 17, 2023.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/535,644, filed on Aug. 31, 2023.
Prior Publication US 2025/0075824 A1, Mar. 6, 2025
Int. Cl. F16K 39/02 (2006.01); F16K 1/36 (2006.01); F25B 41/20 (2021.01)
CPC F16K 39/02 (2013.01) [F16K 1/36 (2013.01); F16K 2200/401 (2021.08); F25B 41/20 (2021.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A refrigerant control valve comprising:
a modulating plug that is linearly movable to control refrigerant flow rate from a first port to a second port;
a first chamber formed at a first side of the modulating plug, wherein the first chamber is fluidly coupled to the first port;
a second chamber formed at a second side of the modulating plug, opposite the first side;
a first flow restriction that fluidly couples the first chamber to the second chamber; and
a second flow restriction that fluidly couples the second chamber to the second port, wherein refrigerant received at the first port flows to the first chamber, then through the first flow restriction to the second chamber, then through the second flow restriction to the second port, thereby creating an intermediate pressure level in the second chamber, which is lower than inlet pressure level at the first port and higher than outlet pressure level at the second port such that a net fluid force is applied to the modulating plug due to pressure applied by refrigerant in the first chamber and refrigerant in the second chamber, wherein the intermediate pressure level and the net fluid force are based on respective sizes of the first flow restriction and the second flow restriction.