US 11,808,372 B1
Disc coolant valve with self-leveling flow control disc
Emma Michelle Grissom, Howell, MI (US); and Edward William Sanders, III, Monroe, MI (US)
Assigned to HANON SYSTEMS, Daejeon (KR)
Filed by Hanon Systems, Daejeon (KR)
Filed on Oct. 19, 2022, as Appl. No. 18/047,846.
Int. Cl. F16K 3/08 (2006.01); F16K 11/07 (2006.01); F16K 11/074 (2006.01)
CPC F16K 3/08 (2013.01) [F16K 11/074 (2013.01)] 18 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A rotary disc valve comprising:
a valve housing having an inner surface defining each of an opening, a first housing port, a second housing port, and a third housing port, each of the first housing port, the second housing port, and the third housing port providing an inlet or outlet for a fluid to enter or exit the opening of the valve housing; and
a rotary disc valve assembly disposed within the opening of the valve housing, the rotary disc valve assembly comprising:
a fixed disc configured to remain stationary relative to the valve housing, the fixed disc including a first flow opening providing selective fluid communication between the first housing port and the second housing port and a second flow opening providing selective fluid communication between the first housing port and the third housing port, the fixed disc including a first face and an opposing second face; and
a rotary disc configured to rotate relative to the fixed disc about an axis of rotation of the rotary disc, the rotary disc defining a flow passage therethrough providing selective fluid communication between the first housing port and one of the first flow opening, the second flow opening, or a combination of the first opening and the second flow opening, depending on a rotational position of the rotary disc relative to the fixed disc, the rotary disc including a first face and an opposing second face, wherein the second face of the rotary disc is configured to maintain a co-planar arrangement with respect to the first face of the fixed disc to provide a fluid-tight seal therebetween where the first face of the fixed disc engages the second face of the rotary disc, wherein the rotary disc valve forms a cartridge configured to be removably inserted into an opening of a housing structure, the housing structure defining a first flow path, a second flow path, and a third flow path, wherein insertion of the cartridge into the opening of the housing structure results in the first flow path being fluidly coupled to the first housing port, the second flow path being fluidly coupled to the second housing port, and the third flow path being fluidly coupled to the third housing port, and wherein an insertion of the rotary disc valve into the opening of the housing structure includes a first gasket circumscribing the first housing port being compressed in a direction perpendicular to a direction of insertion of the rotary disc valve into the opening of the housing structure.