Bypass valve for pumps, heating systems and the like

Claim 2

A bypass valve for regulating the flow of a fluid, comprising a valve member having an axis and including a larger-diameter main valve portion and a smaller-diameter bypass valve portion rigid with and axially spaced from said main valve portion; and a housing having a fluid-admitting inlet, a fluid-discharging main outlet aligned with said inlet, a passage communicating said inlet with said main outlet, a fluid-discharging bypass outlet communicating with said passage intermediate said inlet and said main outlet, and a valve seat for said bypass valve portion at said bypass outlet, said housing accommodating said valve member for axial displacement between a first end position in which said bypass valve portion engages, and a second end position in which said bypass valve portion is axially spaced from, said valve seat, said passage having, as considered in the flow direction, a diverging section accommodating said main valve portion with a clearance in all positions of said valve member so that the fluid flows past said main valve portion at rates which gradually increase as said valve member is displaced from said second toward said first end position thereof, and a converging section situated upstream of said diverging section and directing the flow of the fluid against said main valve portion.

Claim 3

A valve as defined in claim 1, wherein said valve portions are circular disks and said sections of said passage are conical.

Claim 4

A bypass valve for regulating the flow of a fluid, comprising a housing having a fluid-admitting inlet, a first fluid-discharging outlet, a second fluid-discharging bypass outlet intermediate said inlet and said first outlet, an annular zone of minimum cross section intermediate said first and second outlets, and an annular section intermediate said second outlet and said annular zone, merging with the latter and converging toward the same as considered in a direction of flow of fluid from said inlet to said first outlet; a first valving element disposed in said housing intermediate said inlet and said first outlet, said valving element having a first fluid-contacting area and being movable by inflowing fluid between an infinite number of positions in each of which said valving element defines with said housing a clearance establishing first paths of different cross-sectional areas for the flow of fluid in said direction in a range commencing at an end position in which said first valving element defines a clearance of minimum cross-sectional area with said annular zone and extending downstream from the latter so that said annular section directs the flow of fluid against said first valving element; a second valving element disposed in said housing intermediate said inlet and said second outlet, said second valving element having a second fluid-contacting area different from said first area and being movable by the fluid in said housing between an infinite number of positions in each of which said second valving element cooperates with said housing to establish second paths of different cross-sectional areas for the flow of fluid from said housing through said second outlet; and means for confining said valving element to movement in and counter to said predetermined direction in response to the action of the fluid on said valving elements.

Claim 5

A bypass valve for regulating the flow of a fluid, comprising a housing having a fluid-admitting inlet, a first fluid-discharging outlet, a second fluid-discharging bypass outlet intermediate said inlet and said first outlet, an annular zone of minimum cross section intermediate said first and second outlets, and an annular section intermediate said second outlet and said annular zone, merging with the latter and converging toward the same as considered in a direction of flow of fluid from said inlet to said first outlet; a first valving element disposed in said housing intermediate said inlet and said first outlet, said valving element having a first fluid-contacting area and being movable by inflowing fluid between an infinite number of positions in each of which said valving element defines with said housing a clearance establishing first paths of different cross-sectional areas for the flow of fluid in said direction in a range commencing at an end position in which said first valving element defines a clearance of minimum cross-sectional area with said annular zone and extending downstream from the latter so that said annular section directs the flow of fluid against said first valving element; a second valving element disposed in said housing intermediate said inlet and said second outlet, said second valving element having a second fluid-contacting area different from said first area and being movable by the fluid in said housing between an infinite number of positions in each of which said second valving element cooperates with said housing to establish second paths of different cross-sectional areas for the flow of fluid from said housing through said second outlet; and means for confining said valving element to movement in and counter to said predetermined direction in response to the action of the fluid on said valving elements.

Claim 6

A valve as defined in claim 2, wherein said housing includes a seat for said second valving element and further comprising means for biasing said second valving element against said seat.

Claim 7

A valve as defined in claim 2, wherein said housing includes an additional annular section disposed intermediate said annular zone and said first outlet and diverging in said direction, said first valving element being located within said additional section and being movable therein through said range to and from said end position.

Claim 8

A valve as defined in claim 5, wherein said confining means maintains said second valving element in a position in which said second valving element permits the fluid to flow at a maximum rate toward and into said second outlet in said end position of said first valving element.