Expansion valve comprising biasing means

Abstract

An expansion valve ( 1 ) comprising an inlet opening adapted to receive fluid medium in a liquid state and at least two outlet openings ( 8 ), each being adapted to deliver fluid medium in an at least partly gaseous state, is disclosed, e.g. for use in a refrigeration system. The expansion valve ( 1 ) further comprises a first valve part ( 2 ) having at least two valve seats ( 3 ) formed therein, each of the valve seats ( 3 ) being fluidly connected to one of the outlet openings ( 8 ), a second valve part ( 4 ), the first valve part ( 2 ) and the second valve part ( 4 ) being arranged movably relative to each other, and at least two valve elements ( 5 ), each valve element ( 5 ) being arranged in such a manner that the valve seats ( 3 ) and the valve elements ( 5 ) pair-wise form at least two valves. Biasing means, e.g. in the form of springs ( 6 ), are arranged to bias the valve elements ( 5 ) and the valve seats ( 3 ) towards a position defining a minimum opening degree of the valves, or towards a position defining a maximum opening degree of the valves, and the second valve part ( 4 ) and the valve elements ( 5 ) are connected in such a manner that the mutual position of the first valve part ( 2 ) and the second valve part ( 4 ) determines an opening degree of each of the valves. The biasing means defines a point of equilibrium for the relative movements of the valve seats ( 3 ) and the valve elements ( 5 ).

What is claimed is: 
     
         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 first valve part having at least two valve seats formed therein, each of the valve seats being fluidly connected to one of the outlet openings,   a second valve part, the first valve part and the second valve part being arranged movably relative to each other,   at least two valve elements, each valve element being arranged in such a manner that the valve seats and the valve elements pair-wise form at least two valves, and   biasing means arranged to bias the valve elements and the valve seats towards a position defining a minimum opening degree of the valves, or towards a position defining a maximum opening degree of the valves,   
       wherein the second valve part and the valve elements are connected in such a manner that the mutual position of the first valve part and the second valve part determines an opening degree of each of the valves. 
     
     
         2 . The expansion valve according to  claim 1 , wherein the valve elements form part of the second valve part. 
     
     
         3 . The expansion valve according to  claim 1 , wherein the valve elements form separate parts being operatively connected to the second valve part. 
     
     
         4 . The expansion valve according to  claim 1 , wherein the biasing means is or comprises at least one spring. 
     
     
         5 . The expansion valve according to  claim 1 , wherein the valve elements are of a needle type. 
     
     
         6 . The expansion valve according to  claim 1 , wherein the valve elements are of a ball type. 
     
     
         7 . The expansion valve according to  claim 1 , further comprising a thermostatic element, wherein the first valve part and/or the second valve part is/are operatively connected to the thermostatic element, relative movements of the first valve part and the second valve part thereby being caused by the thermostatic element. 
     
     
         8 . The expansion valve according to  claim 7 , wherein the biasing means is arranged to counteract movements caused by the thermostatic element in response to an increase in pressure. 
     
     
         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 valves is arranged to deliver refrigerant to one of the evaporators.