Abstract: A pipe switch includes a plug with a spherically arched circumferential surface and having ports for at least one channel. The plug is rotatably supported in a housing about a pivot axis which is formed with an inlet port and two outlet ports. In order to simplify the shape of the housing and reduce the complexity of manufacture, the plug is a spherical segment within a spherical volume bounded by the great circle, with the ports of the channel being bounded at least approximately by substantially coincidental ellipses in the spherical segment of the plug in a projection along an imaginary line connecting the centers of the ports, whereby this imaginary line extends offset with respect to the pivot axis of the plug.

Abstract: A pipe switch includes a housing with a cock having at least one straight passageway for selectively connecting cylindrical conduits. In order to avoid a geometric joint in both rotational directions without requiring complicated refinishing processes while yet keeping the cross section of the passageway constant, the circumferential surface of the cock and the housing inner surface are designed as coextensive freely-shaped surfaces with such a curvature that the ports of the passageway and the housing conduits are at least essentially coincidental plane sectional surfaces in both rotational positions of the cock.