Abstract: To provide a four-way solenoid valve having a three-way solenoid valve of which non-concentricity between a valve element and a valve hole is small, if any. A core of a three-way solenoid is integrally formed with a refrigerant passage extending axially therethrough, an annular projection forming a valve seat, and a guide for guiding reciprocating motion of a needle forming a valve element. A plug closing a cylinder of a body to define the pressure control chamber is also integrally formed with a valve seat and a guide for guiding reciprocating motion of a needle forming a valve element associated with the valve seat. This causes the needles to be seated on the valve seats associated therewith in respective states guided by the guides substantially concentric with the valve holes, which makes it possible to impart sufficient sealing properties to the valve portions when each valve is closed.

Abstract: The four-way selector valve relating to the invention basically comprises a motor which has a stator and a rotor, a case, and a main body including a main valve and a valve seat, both of which are arranged in a valve chest within the case. The valve seat has a suction pressure passage and a discharge pressure passage, which lead to a suction port of a compressor and a discharge port thereof, respectively, and two passage holes which lead to indoor and outdoor heat exchangers, respectively. The main valve has a connecting part which selectively leads to one of the suction pressure passage and the two passage holes, and a pressure equalization orifice which links the connecting part and the valve chest. A rotor sleeve, which comprises the rotor, is equipped with an auxiliary valve which opens or closes the pressure equalization orifice in order to transfer pressure, and an operating pin which moves the position of the main valve.

Abstract: A four-way switching valve free from leakage of a refrigerant. A pressure-regulating chamber is switchably connected to a low-pressure chamber or a high-pressure chamber by a three-way solenoid valve, and a pressure-regulating chamber is communicated with a chamber by a tube. When the three-way solenoid valve connects the pressure-regulating chamber to the low-pressure chamber, a plug is urged by the high pressure, thereby permitting port A and a port B to communicate with each other, while inhibiting the port B and a port D from communicating with each other. The pressure within the chamber is increased to thereby increase the pressure within the pressure-regulating chamber. Consequently, a plug is urged by a piston to thereby inhibit the port A and a port C from communicating with each other, and permitting the port C and the port D to communicate with each other.

Abstract: A valve assembly for controlling the flow of a fluid between a plurality of ports including at least one high pressure port and one low pressure port, includes: a base mounting the plurality of ports; and a valve member rotatable to a selected operational position with respect to the base. The control face of the valve member is formed with a low pressure cavity in the central region, and with an annular high pressure cavity in the outer region completely circumscribing the low pressure cavity. Such an arrangement produces a balanced valve construction which permits the valve member to be selectively rotated to the selected operational position, or to any intermediate position, while substantially isolating the high pressure from the low pressure in all its positions.

Abstract: A four port reversing valve for a reversible-cycle refrigeration system having a compressor is constructed with the reversing valve having a first inlet port adapted to be connected to the compressor and second, third, and fourth ports. The four port reversing valve is further provided with a valve member operable between first and second positions. The valve member in its first position connects the first inlet port with the second port and the third port with the fourth port, and the valve member in its second position connects the first inlet port with the fourth port, and the second port with the third ports. The second and third ports and the third and fourth ports are arranged so that the angle between the ports is about 135°. In one embodiment the valve member rotates, and in another it translates linearly. Several means are disclosed for actuating the valve member.

Abstract: A refrigerant channel switching apparatus in an air conditioner having cooling and warming functions is provided. The apparatus includes a main valve body, a direction shifting chamber formed within the main valve body and having a four connecting ports connected to an output and an input of a compressor, an indoor heat-exchanger, and an outdoor heat-exchanger, respectively, an operating chamber formed in the main valve body having a plurality of connecting ports, an operational guide member contained in the operating chamber and disposed to rotate in the operating chamber, a partition formed with the operational guide member in a body and disposed to rotate within the direction shifting chamber of the main valve body, a pilot valve connected to the connecting ports of the operating chamber and causing the direction shifting chamber to switch a connection between a compressor, an indoor heat-exchanger, and an outdoor heat-exchanger.

Abstract: A four port reversing valve for a reversible-cycle refrigeration system having a compressor is constructed with the reversing valve having a first inlet port adapted to be connected to the compressor and second, third, and fourth ports. The four port reversing valve is further provided with a rotatable valve member operable between first and second positions. The valve member in its first position connects the first inlet port with the second port and the third port with the fourth port, and the valve member in its second position connects the first inlet port with the fourth port, and the second port with the third ports. The second and third ports and the third and fourth ports are arranged so that the angle between the ports is greater than about 90°. The third port is preferably oriented at an angle of about 120° with respect to the second and fourth ports, but the third port may also be oriented at an angle of about 135° with respect to the second and fourth ports.

Abstract: The four-way selector valve relating to the invention basically comprises a motor which has a stator and a rotor, a case, and a main body including a main valve and a valve seat, both of which are arranged in a valve chest within the case. The valve seat has a suction pressure passage and a discharge pressure passage, which lead to a suction port of a compressor and a discharge port thereof, respectively, and two passage holes which lead to indoor and outdoor heat exchangers, respectively. The main valve has a connecting part which selectively leads to one of the suction pressure passage and the two passage holes, and a pressure equalization orifice which links the connecting part and the valve chest. A rotor sleeve, which comprises the rotor, is equipped with an auxiliary valve which opens or closes the pressure equalization orifice in order to transfer pressure, and an operating pin which moves the position of the main valve.

Abstract: A rotary channel-selector valve is provided, which includes: a valve-seat plate covering one end of a cylindrical valve housing and provided with low and high pressure ports and two switching ports all connecting the inside and the outside of the valve; and a main valve element accommodated in the valve housing and provided with low and high pressure connecting grooves on one end surface thereof, wherein one (or the other) of the switching ports communicates with the low pressure port through the low pressure connecting groove and simultaneously the other (or one) thereof communicates with the high pressure port through the high pressure connecting groove at a first (or second) channel-switching position of the main valve element.

Abstract: A channel-switching valve is provided. The channel-switching valve comprises: a cylindrical valve housing whose one end is closed by a main valve seat; a low pressure outlet and two connecting holes for connecting the inside and the outside of the valve housing; a high pressure inlet for connecting the inside and the outside of the valve housing; and a connecting groove and a guide groove formed on an end surface of a main vale element which is accommodated in the valve housing. When the main valve element is situated in a first rotation position, one of the connecting holes is connected to the low pressure outlet by the connecting groove while the other one of the connecting holes is connected to the high pressure inlet. When the main valve element is situated in a second rotation position, the other one of the connecting holes is connected to the low pressure outlet by the connecting groove while the one of the connecting holes is connected to the high pressure inlet by the guide groove.

Abstract: A device for changing the flow of an operating medium in an air conditioning system, comprises a casing including a first port connected to an outlet or inlet port of a compressor, a second port connected to an indoor heat exchanger, a third port connected to an outdoor heat exchanger, and a fourth port connected to the outlet or inlet port of the compressor, a drive mechanism arranged in the casing, and a valve body rotatably supported by the drive mechanism and including a first flow passageway extending between a first selectively positionable opening and a second selectively positionable opening and a second flow passageway extending between the first selectively positionable opening and a third selectively positionable opening. The valve body is reversibly rotated to a predetermined angle to allow the operating medium to selectively flow through the first flow passageway or through the second flow passageway.

Abstract: A channel-switching valve is provided. The channel-switching valve comprises: a cylindrical valve housing whose one end is closed by a main valve seat; a low pressure outlet and two connecting holes for connecting the inside and the outside of the valve housing; a high pressure inlet for connecting the inside and the outside of the valve housing; and a connecting groove and a guide groove formed on an end surface of a main vale element which is accommodated in the valve housing. When the main valve element is situated in a first rotation position, one of the connecting holes is connected to the low pressure outlet by the connecting groove while the other one of the connecting holes is connected to the high pressure inlet. When the main valve element is situated in a second rotation position, the other one of the connecting holes is connected to the low pressure outlet by the connecting groove while the one of the connecting holes is connected to the high pressure inlet by the guide groove.

Abstract: A rotary channel-selector valve is provided, which includes: a valve-seat plate covering one end of a cylindrical valve housing and provided with low and high pressure ports and two switching ports all connecting the inside and the outside of the valve; and a main valve element accommodated in the valve housing and provided with low and high pressure connecting grooves on one end surface thereof, wherein one (or the other) of the switching ports communicates with the low pressure port through the low pressure connecting groove and simultaneously the other (or one) thereof communicates with the high pressure port through the high pressure connecting groove at a first (or second) channel-switching position of the main valve element.