Multiple-way hydraulic valve

Claim 1

A multiple-way valve for hudraulic circuits, comprising a valve body having a valve chamber bounded by a cylindrical surface having a first diameter, and provided with a first port for admitting control fluid into said chamber and surrounded by a first valve seat, a second port axially spaced from said first port and surrounded by a second valve seat, a third valve seat intermediate said first and second valve seats, said first and second ports and said first, second, and third valve seats being substantially coaxial with said cylindrical surface and having diameters smaller than said first diameter, and a third port extending transversely of said chamber and communicating therewith intermediate said second and third valve seats; and a spherical valve member mounted in said chamber for movement with respect thereto between a first position in which said valve member engages said second and third valve seats and interrupts communication between said second and third ports, and a second position in which said valve member engages said first valve seat and interrupts communication between said first port and said chamber, said valve member having a second diameter smaller than said first diameter and being mounted in said chamber with clearance from said cylindrical surface as said valve member moves between said positions thereof, so that frictional retardation of the movement of said valve member resulting from contact of the latter with said cylindrical surface is avoided.