Four-way valve for warm water heaters

Claim 1

A four-way valve for heat exchangers in hot water heaters, comprising: a valve seating housing, having an opening at one end for receiving hot water from the hot water heater, another opening in the other end thereof for returning hot water to the hot water heater, a plurality of apertures disposed in said housing between said openings at each end in a radial arrangement, a valve guide member, integrally formed with said housing, and disposed about said opening for returning hot water to the hot water heater, and a valve seat disposed about and adjacent to said apertures; a valve housing head, mounted on said valve seating housing adjacent said opening in said housing for returning hot water to the hot water heater, including at least one valve seat disposed adjacent said opening for the return of the hot water, said valve head including a plurality of heating pipes coupled thereto for the supply and drainage of hot water to and from said valve head; a valve body, slidably disposed on said valve guide, and having outwardly disposed end members integrally formed therewith, one of said end members including sealing means, said end members engaging said valve seats on said valve housing head, and controlling the flow of water therethrough; and means, movably mounted on said valve housing head, and coupled to said valve body, for moving said valve body on said valve guide and thereby controlling the flow of water therethrough.