An expansion valve comprising a diaphragm and at least two outlet openings

Abstract

An expansion valve ( 1 ) comprising an inlet opening and at least two outlet openings ( 5 ) is disclosed. The inlet opening is adapted to receive fluid medium in a liquid state, and the outlet openings ( 5 ) are adapted to deliver fluid medium in an at least partly gaseous state. The expansion valve ( 1 ) further comprises a diaphragm ( 6 ), and at least two valve seats ( 4 ), each valve seat ( 4 ) being fluidly connected to one of the outlet openings ( 5 ). Each of the valve seats ( 4 ) forms a valve in combination with the diaphragm ( 6 ), the position of the diaphragm ( 6 ) thereby simultaneously defining an opening degree of each of the valves. A well defined distribution of fluid flow towards each of the outlet openings ( 5 ) is easily defined by movements of the diaphragm ( 6 ). The distribution takes place before or during expansion of the fluid medium. The expansion valve ( 1 ) may be arranged in an refrigerant path of a refrigeration system.

1 . An expansion valve comprising:
 an inlet opening adapted to receive fluid medium in a liquid state,   at least two outlet openings, each being adapted to deliver fluid medium in an at least partly gaseous state,   a diaphragm, and   at least two valve seats, each valve seat being fluidly connected to one of the outlet openings, and each of the valve seats forming a valve in combination with the diaphragm, the position of the diaphragm thereby simultaneously defining an opening degree of each of the valves.   
     
     
         2 . The expansion valve according to  claim 1 , further comprising a thermostatic element and a diaphragm moving element arranged to operatively interconnect the thermostatic element and the diaphragm, movements of the diaphragm thereby being caused by the thermostatic element. 
     
     
         3 . The expansion valve according to  claim 2 , wherein the diaphragm moving element is arranged in direct abutment with the diaphragm. 
     
     
         4 . The expansion valve according to  claim 2 , wherein the diaphragm moving element is or comprises a piston. 
     
     
         5 . The expansion valve according to  claim 1 , further comprising means for biasing the diaphragm in a direction away from the valve seats. 
     
     
         6 . The expansion valve according to  claim 1 , further comprising means for biasing the diaphragm in a direction towards the valve seats. 
     
     
         7 . The expansion valve according to  claim 1 , wherein the diaphragm is provided with at least one through-going hole. 
     
     
         8 . The expansion valve according to  claim 1 , wherein the diaphragm is provided with at least two valve seat engaging regions, each valve seat engaging region being arranged adjacent to a valve seat in such a manner that the valve seats and the valve seat engaging regions pair wise define the at least two valves. 
     
     
         9 . A refrigeration system comprising:
 at least one compressor,   at least one condenser,   at least two evaporators arranged in parallel along a refrigerant flow path of the refrigeration system, and   an expansion valve according to  claim 1 , said expansion valve being arranged in such a manner that each of the at least two outlet openings is arranged to deliver refrigerant to one of the evaporators.