FR3139876A1 - Valve for fluid, in particular heat transfer liquid - Google Patents

Abstract

Valve for fluid, in particular heat transfer liquid, said valve comprising a housing, defining a housing, said valve further comprising a distributor member (6), movable in rotation around a longitudinal axis of said housing, said housing being provided with conduits inlet and/or outlet of the fluid opening laterally into said housing, said valve having at least two chambers (16a-16c) and at least one fluid circulation channel (18a-18c), movable with said distributor member (6), said valve being configured so that angular positions of said distributor member (6), called distribution positions, determine a passage of the fluid between different of said inlet and/or outlet conduits, through said chambers (16a-16c) and/or the or said circulation channels (18a-18c). Figure for abstract: Figure 2

Description

Valve for fluid, especially heat transfer fluid

The invention relates to a valve for fluid, in particular heat transfer fluid. It will find its applications, for example, in the field of motor vehicles.

Fluid circuits are known that allow thermal conditioning of different parts or areas of a motor vehicle, particularly its passenger compartment. With the proliferation of hybrid or electric engines, these circuits have many branches in order to meet the thermal management needs of the vehicle in various operating modes.

To circulate the fluid in their different branches, such circuits include a large number of valves connecting the branches together according to different configurations depending on the desired operating mode. Such a number of valves increases the pressure losses. They also make the control of the circulation of the fluid more complex and increase the cost of these circuits.

Rotary valves have also been proposed that allow multiple inputs/outputs to be connected in order to provide more possibilities for fluid circulation between the branches of the circuits compared to standard two-, three- or four-way valves. However, these valves have a large footprint that limits their use.

The invention aims to at least partially overcome the above drawbacks and to this end proposes a valve for fluid, in particular heat transfer liquid, said valve comprising a housing, defining a housing, said valve further comprising a distributor member movable in rotation about a longitudinal axis of said housing, said housing being provided with fluid inlet and/or outlet conduits opening laterally into said housing, said valve having at least one chamber, preferably at least two chambers, and at least one channel, preferably at least two channels, for circulation of the fluid, movable with said distributor member, said valve being configured so that angular positions of said distributor member, called distribution positions, determine a passage of the fluid between different of said inlet and/or outlet conduits, through said chamber(s) and/or said circulation channel(s).

In this way, thanks to the combined use of chambers and circulation channels, there is a multiplication of the possibilities for distributing the fluid, with a reduced radial and/or axial size of the valve. Such a valve is therefore suitable, among other things, for circuits with numerous branches and in which the volume available for positioning the valve is reduced.

According to various additional characteristics of the invention, which may be taken together or separately and which form as many embodiments of the invention:

- said circulation channel(s) pass through said distributor member, for example in a straight or curved manner,

- at least one or some of said circulation channels are configured to open, at each of their ends, onto one of said inlet and/or outlet conduits, in at least one of the distribution positions,

- at least one or some of said circulation channels are configured to connect one of said inlet and/or outlet conduits and one or more of said chambers, in at least one of the distribution positions,

- at least one or some of said circulation channels are configured to connect one of said chambers with another of said chambers,

- said channels are located at different heights of said distributor member, along said longitudinal axis, so as to be able to pass one above and/or below the other without crossing,

- said distributor organ comprises a central part and several branches connected together at the central part,

- said chamber(s) are defined between two of said branches,

- said circulation channel(s) extend along said branches and/or said central part,

- said distributor member forms a bottom of said chamber(s), opposite a side wall of the housing,

- said funds have a curved outline, in particular convex for the chamber(s),

- at least one or some of said circulation channels open at one of their ends into the one or more of said chambers at the level of said central part of the distributor member,

- said distributor organ has a center of gravity, for example located at the level of said central part of the distributor organ,

- said center of gravity is eccentric relative to the longitudinal axis of the housing, for example between 0 and 1/3 of a radius of the housing,

- said valve comprises a seal, located between a lateral face of said distributor member and said lateral wall of the housing,

- said seal has an annular configuration,

- said seal has openings having an outline corresponding to an outline of an opening part of said inlet and/or outlet conduits in the housing,

- said seal has an angular span of between 50 and 100% of the periphery of the housing,

- said distributor organ is configured to rotate clockwise and/or counterclockwise,

- said distributor organ is configured to rotate more than 360°,

- said inlet and/or outlet conduits are distributed angularly in an interval less than or equal to 200°, or even 180°,

- the said rooms are of different sizes,

- said rooms are asymmetrical with respect to each other,

- said circulation channel(s) have a reference cross section greater than a reference cross section of said inlet and/or outlet conduits intended to correspond to said circulation channel(s) in one of said distribution positions,

- the reference cross section of the circulation channel(s) is a minimum cross section of said circulation channel(s),

- said inlet and/or outlet conduits have an external orifice and an internal orifice connected together for the circulation of the fluid through said conduit, said external orifice opening externally to the valve and said internal orifice opening laterally into the housing,

- the reference cross section of said inlet and/or outlet conduits is a cross section of said external orifice of the conduits, or even a cross section of a connection flange equipping said external orifice,

- said external orifices are located on an upper wall of the housing,

- said internal orifices of the inlet and/or outlet conduits extend substantially longitudinally,

- the circulation channel(s) have a straight section which changes between their ends so as to limit pressure losses inside said channels,

- said ends of the circulation channel(s) are flared, in particular angularly and/or along said longitudinal axis,

- said cross section of said channels is minimum in an area where said circulation channels pass above and/or below each other,

- said cross section of said channels is minimum at the level of said central part of the distributor organ,

- said circulation channel(s) have a first end, called external, intended to open into at least one of said inlet and/or outlet conduits,

- a height of said external end is just less than a height of the distributor member,

- an angular span of said outer end is just less than an angular span of the branch traversed by the corresponding circulation channel,

- said circulation channel(s) have a second end, called internal, intended to open into the or at least one of said chambers,

- a cross section of said inner end is less than a cross section of said outer end,

- a height of said internal end is less than a height of said chamber,

- an angular span of said internal end is less than an angular span of the bottom of the chamber into which the corresponding circulation channel opens,

- said circulation channel(s) extend in a plane orthogonal to said longitudinal axis,

- all of the conduits 10 and/or rooms 16 are distributed over a single floor.

The invention will be better understood, and other aims, details, characteristics and advantages thereof will appear more clearly during the detailed explanatory description which follows, of at least one embodiment of the invention given as a purely illustrative and non-limiting example, with reference to the appended schematic drawings among which:

schematically illustrates in perspective an example of a valve according to the invention;

schematically illustrates in perspective a distributor organ of the valve of the ;

schematically illustrates in perspective the distributor organ of the , according to a transverse section plane located at a first level along its axis of rotation,

schematically illustrates in perspective the distributor organ of the , according to a transverse section plane located at a second level along its axis of rotation,

schematically illustrates in perspective the distributor organ of the , according to a transverse section plane located at a third level along its axis of rotation,

schematically illustrates an example of a circuit comprising a valve according to the invention,

schematically illustrates a first mode of operation of the circuit of the ,

schematically illustrates along a cross-sectional plane the positioning of the distributor member of the valve of figures 1 to 5 in the operating mode illustrated in ,

schematically illustrates a second mode of operation of the circuit of the ,

schematically illustrates along a cross-sectional plane the positioning of the distributor member of the valve of figures 1 to 5 in the operating mode illustrated in ,

schematically illustrates a third mode of operation of the circuit of the ,

schematically illustrates along a cross-sectional plane the positioning of the distributor member of the valve of figures 1 to 5 in the operating mode illustrated in ,

schematically illustrates a fourth mode of operation of the circuit of the ,

schematically illustrates along a cross-sectional plane the positioning of the distributor member of the valve of figures 1 to 5 in the operating mode illustrated in ,

schematically illustrates a fifth mode of operation of the circuit of the ,

schematically illustrates along a cross-sectional plane the positioning of the distributor member of the valve of figures 1 to 5 in the operating mode illustrated in ,

schematically illustrates a sixth mode of operation of the circuit of the ,

schematically illustrates along a cross-sectional plane the positioning of the distributor member of the valve of figures 1 to 5 in the operating mode illustrated in ,

schematically illustrates a seventh mode of operation of the circuit of the ,

schematically illustrates along a cross-sectional plane the positioning of the distributor member of the valve of figures 1 to 5 in the operating mode illustrated in ,

schematically illustrates along a cross-sectional plane a first alternative embodiment of the valve according to the invention,

schematically illustrates along a cross-sectional plane a second alternative embodiment of the valve according to the invention,

schematically illustrates along a cross-sectional plane a third alternative embodiment of the valve according to the invention,

schematically illustrates in perspective and along a cross-sectional plane a fourth alternative embodiment of the valve according to the invention,

schematically illustrates in perspective and along a cross-sectional plane a fifth alternative embodiment of the valve according to the invention,

schematically illustrates in perspective a detail of the ,

schematically illustrates in front view the distributor organ of the ,

schematically illustrates in perspective and in diametrical section the distributor organ of the , according to a first angle of view,

schematically illustrates in perspective the distributor organ of the , from another point of view,

schematically illustrates in perspective the distributor organ of the , from yet another perspective.

In these figures, the same reference corresponds to identical or similar elements.

As illustrated in the , the invention relates to a valve 1 for fluid, in particular heat transfer fluid. In particular, it is water with added antifreeze, in particular glycol. Alternatively, it is a dielectric fluid.

Said valve comprises a housing 2, defining a housing 4. Said housing 4 has at its center a longitudinal axis 8.

Said housing 2 is provided with fluid inlet and/or outlet conduits opening laterally into said housing 4. Said inlet and/or outlet conduits are here six in number, namely a first inlet/outlet conduit 10a, a second inlet/outlet conduit 10b, a third inlet/outlet conduit 10c, a fourth inlet/outlet conduit 10d, a fifth inlet/outlet conduit 10e and a sixth inlet/outlet conduit 10f. Said inlet and/or outlet conduits 10a-10f have an external orifice 13 and an internal orifice 15, connected together for the circulation of the fluid through said conduit 10a-10f, arranged in a radial projection of a side wall 30 of the housing 2. Said external orifices 13 open externally to the valve and said internal orifices 15 open, for example, laterally into the housing 4. Said external orifices 13 are located, for example, on an upper wall 19 of the housing 2. Said internal orifices 15 extend substantially longitudinally along said longitudinal axis 8 of the housing 4.

As illustrated in the , said valve further comprises a distributor member 6, movable in rotation around the longitudinal axis 8 of said housing 4. Said distributor member 6 is illustrated in transparency at and visible without the box 2 at the . Said distributor member 6 comprises a distributor body 20 and, optionally, two plates 22, 24, parallel and orthogonal to said longitudinal axis 8, connected by said distributor body 20. The plates 22, 24 have a diameter substantially identical to the housing 4, with the clearance required for the rotational movement. Said distributor body 20 has lateral edges 26 located here at the level of a fictitious cylinder connecting peripheral edges 28 of the plates 22, 24. In other words, said lateral edges 26 of the distributor body are located opposite and in the immediate vicinity, with the clearance, of an internal face of the side wall 30 of the housing.

Said distributor member 6 is configured to rotate clockwise and/or counterclockwise. Said distributor member 6 is configured, for example, to rotate more than 360°. For this, said valve here comprises an actuator 12, for example a stepper motor, for driving said distributor member around the longitudinal axis 8. Said distributor member 6 comprises, for example, a drive shaft 14, intended to be engaged with the actuator 12.

Said valve has at least one chamber, preferably at least two chambers. Here it comprises three chambers, for example a first chamber 16a, the smallest, a second chamber 16b, of intermediate size, and a third chamber 16c, the largest. Said chambers 16a-16c are defined, for example, as a hollow in said distributor member 6.

Said valve further comprises at least one distribution channel, preferably at least two distribution channels. Here it comprises three fluid circulation channels, namely a first channel 18a, a second channel 18b and a third channel 18c. Said distribution channels 18a-18c are defined, for example, through said central body 20. They extend, in particular, in a plane orthogonal to said longitudinal axis 8 of the housing 4.

Said chambers 16a-16c and said channels 18a-18c are movable with said distributor member 6. Said valve is configured so that angular positions of said distributor member 6, called distribution positions, determine a passage of the fluid between different of said inlet and/or outlet conduits 10a-10f, through said chamber(s) 16a-16c and/or said circulation channel(s) 18a-18c.

Different distribution positions of the valve of Figures 1 and 2 are shown below in the context of a heat transfer fluid circuit 100 illustrated in . Such a circuit is only a non-limiting example of a circuit in which the valve according to the invention is intended to be used.

Said heat transfer fluid circuit 100 is configured to allow the thermal regulation of a battery 102 supplying a motor drive electric motor of a motor vehicle and/or an electrical assembly 104 formed by said motor and electronics for controlling an electrical circuit connecting said battery and said motor. Said heat transfer fluid circuit 100 is further advantageously configured for thermal regulation of a passenger compartment of the vehicle and here comprises for this purpose a condenser 108, a cooler 110 and a heater 112. These three heat exchangers as well as an evaporator 113 are also integrated into a refrigerant circuit 101 which will not be detailed here. Said heat transfer fluid circuit 100 further comprises a heat exchanger, called low temperature, 114.

Said low temperature heat exchanger 114, said condenser 108, said cooler 110, said heater 112, said battery 102 and/or said electrical assembly 104 are respectively distributed over first 116a, second 116b, third 116c, fourth 116d, fifth 116e and sixth 116f branches of said circuit 100, each of said branches being respectively connected to one of the inlet and/or outlet conduits 10a-10f of the valve 1. The first branch 116a is further connected at its end opposite that connected to the valve 1 of the invention to a first way of a first other valve 118, namely a three-way valve. Said second and fourth branches 10b, 10d are connected at their end opposite that connected to the valve 1 of the invention to a second way of said first other valve 118. Said fifth and sixth branches 10e, 10f are connected at their end opposite that connected to the valve 1 of the invention to a first way of a second other valve 120, here a two-way valve or isolation valve. Said heat transfer fluid circuit 100 further comprises a connecting branch 122 connecting the third way of the first other valve 118 and the second way of the second other valve 120. The third branch 116c of the circuit is connected at its end opposite that connected to the valve 1 of the invention to said connecting branch 122. The second branch 116b further comprises an electric heating module 109.

Said heat transfer fluid circuit also comprises pumps 124, here located on the second 116b, on the third 116c and on the sixth 116f branches.

In a first mode of operation illustrated in the and corresponding to a first of the distribution positions, illustrated in the , the heat transfer fluid circulates respectively according to three independent loops, the first of said loops comprising the first 116a and the third 116c branches, the second of said loops comprising the second 116b and fourth 116d branches and the third of said loops comprising the fifth 116e and the sixth 116f branches.

We then operate in a mode allowing heating of the passenger compartment using heat recovery at the low temperature exchanger 114. Alternatively, by cutting off the circulation of the heat transfer fluid in the first 116a and the third 116c branches, we obtain heating of the passenger compartment as well as heating of the battery 102, the latter using heat recovery at the electrical assembly 104.

In said first distribution position, the first chamber 16a connects the fifth and sixth branches 116e, 116f. The second chamber 16b connects the first and third branches 116a, 116c. The third chamber 16c connects the second and fourth branches 116b, 116d.

In a second mode of operation illustrated in the and corresponding to a second of the distribution positions, illustrated in , the heat transfer fluid circulates respectively according to two independent loops, the first of said loops comprising the second 116b and the fourth 116d branches. The second of said loops comprises the third branch 116c and, in series with said third branch 116c, the fifth 116e and the sixth 116f branches, located in parallel with each other. It can be seen that there is, on the other hand, no circulation of the heat transfer fluid in the first branch 116a.

We then operate in a mode allowing heating of the passenger compartment using heat recovery from the battery 102 and the electrical assembly 104. Alternatively, it could also involve heating the battery 102 or defrosting the passenger compartment, depending on the operating mode of the refrigerant circuit 101.

In said second distribution position, the first chamber 16a connects the second and fourth branches 116b, 116d. The second chamber 16b connects the third, fifth and sixth branches 116c, 116e, 116f. The third chamber 16c is only connected to the first branch 116a.

In a third mode of operation illustrated in the and corresponding to a third of the distribution positions, illustrated in , the heat transfer fluid circulates in a single loop. In said loop, the fourth branch 116d, the fifth branch 116e and the sixth branch 116f are in parallel with each other to form a first part of the loop. Said second branch 116b forms a second part of the loop, located with said first part of the loop. It can be seen that there is, on the other hand, no circulation of the heat transfer fluid in the first branch 116a or in the third branch 116c, this because the second pump 124 of the third branch 116c is not active.

We then operate in a mode allowing an alternative solution for heating the passenger compartment and the battery 102.

In said third distribution position, the first chamber 16a connects the first branch 116a and the third branch 116c. The second chamber 16b is not connected to any branch. The third chamber 16c connects the second, fourth, fifth and sixth branches 116b, 116d, 116e, 116f.

In a fourth mode of operation illustrated in the and corresponding to a fourth of the distribution positions, illustrated in , the heat transfer fluid circulates in a single loop comprising the second branch 116b and, in series with said second branch 116b, the fifth 116e and the sixth 116f branches, located in parallel with each other. It can be seen that there is, on the other hand, no circulation of the heat transfer fluid in the first branch 116a, nor in the third branch 116c, nor in the fourth branch 116d.

The operation is then carried out in a mode allowing heating of the battery 102 using a compressor of the refrigerant circuit or an electric heater. Alternatively, it may also involve heating of the battery 102 using the heat from the passenger compartment and/or an electric heater, depending on the operating mode of the refrigerant circuit 101.

In said fourth distribution position, the first chamber 16a is only connected to the fourth branch 116d. The second chamber 16b connects the third, fifth and sixth branches 116b, 116e, 116f. The third chamber 16c connects the first branch 116a and the third branch 116c but without circulation of the heat transfer fluid because the second pump 124 of the third branch 116c is not active.

In a fifth mode of operation illustrated in the and corresponding to one fifth of the distribution positions, illustrated in , the heat transfer fluid circulates respectively according to two independent loops. The first of said loops comprises the second 116b and the fourth 116d branches. The second of said loops comprises the other branches, the first 116a and the third 116c branches being in parallel with each other to form a first part of said second loop and the fifth 116e and the sixth 116f branches being in parallel with each other to form a second part of the second loop. Said first part and said second part of said second loop are in series with each other.

The operation is then carried out in a mode allowing an alternative solution for heating the battery 102 using the heat from the passenger compartment and/or an electric heater. Alternatively, by cutting off the pumps 124 located on the second and third branches 116b, 116c, the battery 102 and the electrical assembly 104 are cooled using the low-temperature exchanger 114.

In said fifth distribution position, the first chamber 16a is not connected to any branch. The second chamber 16b connects the second branch 116b and the fourth branch 116d. The third chamber 16c connects the first branch 116a, the third branch 116c, the fifth branch 116e and the sixth branch 116f.

In a sixth mode of operation illustrated in the and corresponding to one sixth of the distribution positions, illustrated in , the heat transfer fluid circulates according to a single loop comprising the second branch 116b and, in series with said second branch 116b, the first branch 116a and the fourth branch 116d, provided in parallel with each other. It can be seen that there is, on the other hand, no circulation of the heat transfer fluid in the third branch 116c or in the fifth branch 116e or in the sixth branch 116f, this because the pumps 124 of the third branch 116c and of the sixth branch 116f are stopped.

The operation is then carried out in a mode allowing the temperature of the passenger compartment to be maintained using the refrigerant circuit. Alternatively, by activating the pumps 124 of the third branch 116c and the sixth branch 116f, the heat transfer fluid is circulated in a second loop comprising the third branch 116c and, in series with said third branch 116c, the fifth branch 116e and the sixth branch 116f, provided in parallel with each other. The battery 102 is then allowed to be cooled and the passenger compartment to be heated.

In said sixth distribution position, the first chamber 16a is not connected to any branch. The second chamber 16b connects the second branch 116b and the fourth branch 116d as well as the first branch 116a, this via the second channel 18b. The third chamber 16c connects the third branch 116c, the fifth branch 116e and the sixth branch 116f.

In a seventh mode of operation illustrated in the and corresponding to one seventh of the distribution positions, illustrated in , the heat transfer fluid circulates respectively according to two independent loops. A first of said loops comprises the first branch 116a and said second branch 116b. A second of said loops comprises the third branch 116c and, in series with said third branch 116c, the fifth branch 116e and the sixth branch 116f, provided in parallel with each other. It can be seen that there is, on the other hand, no circulation of the heat transfer fluid in the fourth branch 116d.

We then operate in a mode allowing cooling of the passenger compartment and the battery 102.

In said seventh distribution position, the first chamber 16a connects the first branch 116a and the second branch 116b, via the first channel 18a. The second chamber 16b is only connected to the fourth branch 116d. The third chamber 16c connects the third branch 116c, the fifth branch 116e and the sixth branch 116f.

In the example illustrated, as a reminder, said inlet and/or outlet conduits 10a-10f are thus six in number, said chambers 16a-16c are three in number, said channels 18a-18c are three in number, said distribution positions are seven in number, said distribution positions involve circulation of the fluid in at least one of said chambers 16a-16c and said distribution positions involving circulation of the fluid in at least one of said circulation channels 18a-18c are two in number.

It is further noted that the inlet/outlet conduits 10a-10f are distributed angularly, in a clockwise direction, viewed from above, as follows: the first conduit 10a is connected to the fourth branch 116d, the second conduit 10b is connected to the second branch 116b, the third conduit 10c is connected to the sixth branch 116f, the fourth conduit 10d is connected to the fifth branch 116e, the fifth conduit 10e is connected to the third branch 116c and the sixth conduit 10f is connected to the first branch 116a (see ).

Alternatively, still according to said example, other operating modes and/or other distribution positions are possible.

In light of this example, it is understood that the invention allows, thanks to the combined use of the chamber(s) 16a-16c and the circulation channel(s) 18a-18c, a very large number of possibilities for distributing the fluid, with reduced radial and/or axial size of the valve.

If we refer again to Figures 1 to 5, we see that said circulation channel(s) 18a-18c pass through said distributor member 6, here in a straight line. Alternatively, said circulation channel(s) pass through said distributor member 6 in a curved line.

At least one or some of said circulation channels, here all of the circulation channels 18a-18c are configured to connect one of said inlet and/or outlet conduits 10a-10f and the or one of said chambers 16a-16c, in at least one of the distribution positions. In other words, in the illustrated embodiment, said distribution channels 18a-18c open, on the one hand, at the lateral edges 26 of the distribution body 20 and on the other hand into the chambers 16a-16c. More precisely, the first distribution channel 18a opens into the first chamber 16a, the second distribution channel 18b opens into the second chamber 16b and the third distribution channel 18c opens into the third chamber 16c. As a reminder, a circulation of the fluid in the first and second channels is illustrated in FIGS. and 20, in the corresponding distribution positions.

Preferably, said channels 18a-18c are located at different heights of said distributor member 6, along said longitudinal axis 8, so as to be able to pass one above and/or below the other without crossing. illustrates the first channel 18a which is at a low level along said longitudinal axis 8. The illustrates the third channel 18c which is located at an intermediate level along said longitudinal axis 8. The illustrates the second channel 18b which is located at a high level along said longitudinal axis 8.

Said distributor member 6, more particularly said distributor body 20, advantageously comprises a central part 32 and several branches 34, here three, connected together at the central part 32. At their opposite end, said branches 34 extend to said lateral edges 26.

Said chamber(s) 16a-16c are defined between two of said branches 34, in cooperation with the internal face of the side wall 30 of the housing. Said distributor member 6, more particularly said distribution body 20, forms a bottom 36 of said chamber(s), opposite the internal face of the side wall 30 of the housing. Said bottoms 36 have a curved contour, in particular convexly for the chamber(s) 16a-16c.

Each of said circulation channels 18a-18c extends along one of said branches 24 and, in continuity, in said central part 32. The or at least some of said circulation channels, here all of said channels 18a-18c open through one of their ends into the or one of said chambers 16a-16c at the level of said central part 32 of the distributor member 6.

Said distributor member 6 has a center of gravity, for example located at the level of said central part 32 of the distributor member 6, in particular, in a zone where the channels 18a-18c pass one above or below the other. In FIGS. 3 to 5, a longitudinal axis 38 of said distributor member 6 passing through said center of gravity is illustrated, this at the different levels by which the distribution channels 18a-18c pass through said distributor member 6. Said center of gravity is located along said longitudinal axis 38 of the distributor member, for example at the level of said third conduit 18c.

Advantageously, said center of gravity is eccentric relative to the longitudinal axis 8 of the housing 4, for example between 0 and 1/3 of a radius of the housing 4. This allows, in particular, the presence of at least one chamber, here the third chamber 16c, of large size.

Although not illustrated, said valve comprises a seal, located between a lateral face of said distributor member 6 and the internal face of said side wall 30 of the housing. In the illustrated example, said lateral face of the distributor member 6 is that joining the peripheral edges of the plates 22, 24. It is formed by the lateral edges 26 and an emerging face of the chambers 16a-16c. Said seal has, for example, slots having an outline corresponding to an outline of an emerging part of said inlet and/or outlet conduits 10a-10f in the housing 4. Said seal is fixed.

Said seal has an annular configuration. Said seal has, for example, an angular span of between 50 and 100% of a periphery of the housing 4.

Said inlet and/or outlet conduits 10a-10f are distributed angularly in an interval less than or equal to 200°, or even 180°, in order to limit the movements of the distributor member 6.

Advantageously, as is the case in the embodiment of Figures 1 to 5, said chambers 16a-16c are of different sizes and/or asymmetrical with respect to each other.

In Figures 21 to 25, said chambers are marked 16 and said distribution channels are marked 18 in an undifferentiated manner.

To the , said chambers 16 are also of different sizes and/or asymmetrical with respect to each other. Here there are five of them, like the branches 34.

Alternatively, as illustrated in Figures 22 and 23, said chambers are substantially the same size and/or symmetrical to each other. , said chambers 16 are two in number and the distribution body 20 is in the form of a separation partition 40 between said chambers 16. , said rooms 16 are four in number, as are said branches 34.

In these figures 21 to 23, the distribution channels 18 have not been shown. Alternatively, any other number of chambers 16 is possible while remaining within the scope of the invention.

As illustrated in the , according to another embodiment, at least one or some of said circulation channels 18 are configured to open, at each of their ends, onto one of said inlet and/or outlet conduits 10, in at least one of the distribution positions. All of the distribution channels of the valve are possibly in this configuration. The said channel(s) 18 are, for example, oriented in a curved manner. An arrow marked 42 runs through such a channel 18. It can be seen that said channel successively passes through a first of the branches 34 of the distributor member, its central part 32 and a second of said branches 34 to finish on either side at two of the lateral edges 26 of the distribution body 20.

As illustrated in the , according to a still different embodiment, at least one or some of said circulation channels 18 are configured to connect one of said chambers 16 with another of said chambers 16. All of the distribution channels 18 of the valve are possibly in this configuration. The said channel(s) 18 are, for example, oriented in a curved manner. An arrow marked 44 runs through such a channel 18. It can be seen that said channel 18 passes through one of the branches 34 and/or the central part 32 of the distributor member. It opens out on either side, for example, at the bottom 36 of the chambers 16 served.

Figures 26 and following reproduce the embodiment of figures 1 to 5.

As illustrated in the , said inlet and/or outlet ducts have a reference cross section. This is, for example, a cross section of said external orifice 13 of the ducts, or even a section of a connecting flange 46 connected to said housing 2 and defining said external orifice 13. Here, only one of said ducts has been illustrated. It is referenced 10, without distinction.

As illustrated in the , said circulation channel(s) 18a-18c have a reference cross section. This is, for example, the minimum cross section of said circulation channel(s) 18a-18c, here referenced S _CT1 , S _CT2 and S _CT3 . As will be developed later, such a minimum section is encountered, for example, at the central part 32 of said distributor member 6.

Preferably, the reference cross section S _CT1 -S _CT3 of said circulation ducts 18a-18c is greater than the reference cross section of the one or those of said inlet and/or outlet ducts 10a-10f intended to come into correspondence with said circulation channel(s) 18a-18c, in one of said distribution positions. In other words, for each of said circulation channels 18a-18c, their reference cross section S _CT1 -S _CT3 is greater than the largest reference cross section of said inlet and/or outlet duct(s) 10a-10f with which said circulation channel 18a-18c is intended to come into correspondence. This makes it possible to limit the pressure losses in the valve, inside said channels 18a-18c.

As illustrated in the , said circulation channels 18a-18c have a first end 48, called external, intended to open into at least one of said inlet and/or outlet conduits 10a-10f. Said first end 48 is located at the free ends of the branches 34, that is to say, here at the level of said lateral edges 26 of the distributor member 6. This first end 48 has a straight section S _ext . Said circulation channel(s) 18a-18c have a second end 50, called internal, intended to open into the or at least one of said chambers 16a-16c. Said second end 50 is located at the bottom 36 of one of the chambers 16a-16c. This second end 50 has a straight section S _int .

Preferably, the circulation channel(s) 18a-18c have a straight section that changes between their first and second ends 48, 50. Said first and/or second ends 48, 50 are, for example, flared, in particular angularly and/or along said longitudinal axis 38 of the distributor member 6. This makes it possible to limit the pressure losses in the distributor member 6.

Again preferably, the minimum cross section S _CT1 -S _CT3 of said circulation channels is located in the area where said circulation channel(s) 18a-18c pass above and/or below each other, that is to say, here, as already mentioned, in the central part 32 of said distributor member 6. This makes it possible to limit the axial size of the valve 1. Said minimum cross section S _CT1 -S _CT3 is possibly oblong, a major axis of the latter being able to be oriented differently from one of the channels 18a-18c to the other, for example along said longitudinal axis 38 of the distributor member 6 for one or some of said channels 18a-18c and orthogonally to said longitudinal axis 38 of the distributor member 6 for the other(s).

In other words, said circulation channel(s) 18a-18c have a largest section at said section S _ext then converge towards a central zone having said minimum cross section S _CT1 -S _CT3 before diverging to said section S _int . The cross section S _int of said internal end 50 is, for example, less than the cross section S _ext of said external end 48.

As illustrated in Figures 29 and 30, said distributor member 6, in particular said distributor body 20, has a height h. In other words, said height h corresponds here to a height of said chambers 16a-16c. Said chambers 16a-16c have an angular span L _c , measured between the branches 24 delimiting each of the chambers 16a-16c angularly, in particular at the free end of said branches 24. In other words, said angular span L _c of the chambers 16a-16c corresponds here to the angular span of the bottom 36 of said chambers 16a-16c. Said branches 24 have an angular span L at their free end.

Preferably, a height of said external end 48 of the circulation ducts 18a-18c is just less than the height h of the distribution member 20. An angular span of said external end 48 of the circulation ducts 18a-18c is just less than the angular span L of the branch 24 traversed by the corresponding circulation channel 18a-18c. A height of said internal end 50 of the circulation ducts 18a-18c is less than said height h of the distribution member 20. An angular span of said internal end 50 of the circulation ducts 18a-18c is less than the angular span L_c from room 16a-16c into which the corresponding circulation channel 18a-18c opens.

In all of the illustrated embodiments, it can be seen that all of the conduits 10 and/or chambers 16 are advantageously distributed over a single floor.

Claims (10)

Valve for fluid, in particular heat transfer liquid, said valve comprising a housing (2), defining a housing (4), said valve further comprising a distributor member (6), rotatable about a longitudinal axis (8) of said housing (4), said housing (2) being provided with inlet and/or outlet conduits (10; 10a-10f) for the fluid opening laterally into said housing (4), said valve having at least two chambers (16; 16a-16c) and at least one fluid circulation channel (18; 18a-18c), movable with said distributor member (6), said valve being configured so that angular positions of said distributor member (6), called distribution positions, determine a passage of the fluid between different of said inlet and/or outlet conduits (10; 10a-10f), through said chambers (16; 16a-16c) and/or said circulation channel(s) (18; 18a-18c). Valve according to claim 1 in which said circulation channel(s) (18; 18a-18c) pass through said distributor member (6). Valve according to any one of the preceding claims, in which at least one or some of said circulation channels (18) are configured to open, at each of their ends, onto one of said inlet and/or outlet conduits (10), in at least one of the distribution positions. Valve according to any one of claims 1 or 2 in which at least one or some of said circulation channels (18a-18c) are configured to connect one of said inlet and/or outlet conduits (10a-10f) and the one or more of said chambers (16a-16c), in at least one of the distribution positions. Valve according to any one of claims 1 or 2 in which at least one or some of said circulation channels (18) are configured to connect one of said chambers (16) with another of said chambers (16). Valve according to any one of the preceding claims, in which said channels (18; 18a-18c) are located at different heights of said distributor member (6), along said longitudinal axis (8), so as to be able to pass one above and/or below the other without crossing. Valve according to any one of the preceding claims, in which said distributor member (4) has a center of gravity, eccentric relative to the longitudinal axis (8) of the housing (4). Valve according to any one of the preceding claims, in which said circulation channel(s) (18; 18a-18c) have a reference cross section greater than a reference cross section of said inlet and/or outlet conduits (10; 10a-10f) intended to come into correspondence with said circulation channels (18; 18a-18c), in one of said distribution positions. Valve according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the circulation channel(s) (18; 18a-18c) have a straight section which changes between their ends (48, 50) so as to limit pressure losses inside said channels (18; 18a-18c). Valve according to the preceding claim in which said ends (48, 50) of the circulation channel(s) (18; 18a-18c) are flared.