US 20200200440A1

IN
(19) United States
(12) Bates
Patent Application Publication ( 10) Pub . No.: US 2020/0200440 A1
(43 ) Pub . Date : Jun . 25 , 2020
(54 ) ELECTRONIC REVERSING VALVE (52) U.S. CI.
CPC F25B 13/00 ( 2013.01 )
( 71) Applicant: Rheem Manufacturing Company,
Atlanta , GA (US) (57) ABSTRACT
An electronic reversing valve for use in heat pump systems
(72 ) Inventor: Douglas M. Bates, Midlothian , VA includes a housing having multiple ports and a slider posi
(US) tioned in a cavity of the housing , where the slider has
multiple channels. The multiple ports and the multiple
( 21) Appl. No.: 16 /228,358 channels define refrigerant flow paths depending on a posi
tion of the slider in the cavity of the housing . The electronic
(22) Filed : Dec. 20 , 2018 reversing valve also includes a rotor positioned in the cavity
of the housing and a stator positioned outside of the housing.
Publication Classification The slider is moveable laterally within the cavity of the
housing in response to a rotation of the rotor, where the rotor
(51) Int. Ci. is designed to rotate in response to a magnetic force gener
F25B 13/00 (2006.01) ated by the stator.

100

T 110 108 112

104 102

114 106

M16
Patent Application Publication Jun . 25 , 2020 Sheet 1 of 8 US 2020/0200440 A1

102

112 1
.
FIG

108 106

110

114

416
100
? 104
Patent Application Publication Jun . 25 , 2020 Sheet 2 of 8 US 2020/0200440 A1

224
216

220
112 226

218
214 HMAN 2
.
FIG

108 232
222 106
110 212 230
Wat
202 210
in
206
102
208

R 104
100 204
. 228 114
Patent Application Publication Jun . 25 , 2020 Sheet 3 of 8 US 2020/0200440 A1

300 K
300 300
306 306
302 202
D 216 224
202 226 220
220
216 218
218
214 M
214

212
212 222 202
304 308
206 206 206

204 204 204

FIG
.
3A FIG
.
3B 30
.
FIG
Patent Application Publication Jun . 25 , 2020 Sheet 4 of 8 US 2020/0200440 A1

400

202
402
< 404
4A
.
FIG
FIG
4B
.

402
206
Tayar
204
Patent Application Publication Jun . 25 , 2020 Sheet 5 of 8 US 2020/0200440 A1

504 512
224
306

226
112 B

222
108
ToSuction Port Discharge
From Port
5
.
FIG

106
110 502 308
202
102
vo
206
506 510
204 204
7
100 508 514 228
Patent Application Publication Jun . 25 , 2020 Sheet 6 of 8 US 2020/0200440 A1

102 202
112
224
?

108
ToSuction Port FDirschoarmge Port FIG
6
.

222 106
D

110
512

206

602
204
r
100
Patent Application Publication Jun . 25 , 2020 Sheet 7 of 8 US 2020/0200440 A1

704
700
K
Outdor Coil

100 110

106

706
Compreso 108
ERlevctrsonicg
ValveE x p a n s i o V a lv e
7
.
FIG

708
112

710
Contrle Indo r Coil
702
Patent Application Publication Jun . 25 , 2020 Sheet 8 of 8 US 2020/0200440 A1

704
700
7
Outdor Coil
100 110

106

706
Compreso 108
Valve
1ERlevctrosnicg ExpansioValve 8
.
FIG

708

112

710
Contrle Indo r Coil
702
US 2020/0200440 A1
ELECTRONIC REVERSING VALVE
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001 ] The present disclosure relates generally to heat
pump systems, and more particularly to an electronic revers
ing valve of heat pump systems.
BACKGROUND
[ 0002 ] In general, typical heat pump systems include a
reversing valve that is used to change the heat refrigerant
flow between an indoor unit and an outdoor unit . For
example , a typical reversing valve may be in a cooling mode
that allows the transfer of heat from an indoor coil to an
outdoor coil . The reversing valve may also be in a heating
mode that allows the transfer of heat from the outdoor coil
to the indoor coil. A typical reversing valve is electrically
triggered and uses an electromagnetic solenoid to shift a
pilot valve. The pilot valve in turn directs a refrigerant to
move a slider of the reversing valve . A constant power is
typically applied to the solenoid to hold the slider of the
reversing valve in a heating position or in a cooling position
often consuming power for an entire season . Further,
because the position of the slider may not always be clearly
known, it may be unclear whether the slider is completely
seated in a cooling or heating position . Thus, a solution that
allows a more controlled positioning of the slider of a
reversing valve and that consumes less power than a typical
reversing valve may be desirable .
SUMMARY
[0003] The present disclosure relates generally to heat
pump systems, and more particularly to an electronic revers
ing valve of heat pump systems. In some example embodi
ments, an electronic reversing valve for use in heat pump
systems includes a housing having multiple ports and a
slider positioned in a cavity of the housing ,where the slider
has multiple channels. The multiple ports and the multiple
channels define refrigerant flow paths depending on a posi
tion of the slider in the cavity of the housing . The electronic
reversing valve also includes a rotor positioned in the cavity
of the housing and a stator positioned outside of the housing .
The slider is moveable laterally within the cavity of the
housing in response to a rotation of the rotor, where the rotor
is designed to rotate in response to a magnetic force gener
ated by the stator.
[0004 ] Another example embodiment is directed to a rotor
and slider assembly of an electronic reversing valve for use
in heat pump systems, where the rotor and slider assembly
includes a slider having multiple channels, a rotor and a
shaft attached to the rotor and to the slider. The rotor is
rotatable about a portion of the shaft that is attached to the
rotor, where the shaft is moveable laterally in response to a
rotation of the rotor. The slider is moveable laterally along
with the shaft.
[0005 ] In another example embodiment, a heat pump
system includes an indoor coil, an outdoor coil, a compres
sor, and an electronic reversing valve . The electronic revers
ing valve includes a housing having multiple ports, and a
slider positioned in the cavity of the housing, where the
slider has multiple channels. The multiple ports and the
multiple channels define refrigerant flow paths between the
compressor, and the indoor coil and the outdoor coil based
on a position of the slider in the cavity of the housing . The
Jun . 25 , 2020
electronic reversing valve further includes a rotor positioned
in the cavity of the housing, and a stator positioned outside
of the housing . The slider is moveable laterally within the
cavity of the housing in response to a rotation of the rotor,
where the rotor is designed to rotate in response to a
magnetic force generated by the stator.
[0006 ] These and other aspects, objects , features , and
embodiments will be apparent from the following descrip
tion and the appended claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007 ] Reference will now be made to the accompanying
drawings , which are not necessarily drawn to scale , and
wherein :
[0008 ] FIG . 1 illustrates a side view of an electronic
reversing valve according to an example embodiment;
[0009 ] FIG . 2 illustrates a side view of the electronic
reversing valve of FIG . 1 showing internal components of
the electronic reversing valve according to an example
embodiment;
[0010 ] FIG . 3A illustrates a top view of a rotor and slider
assembly of the electronic reversing valve of FIG . 1 accord
ing to an example embodiment ;
[0011 ] FIG . 3B illustrates a side view of the rotor and
slider assembly of the electronic reversing valve of FIG . 1
according to an example embodiment;
[0012 ] FIG . 3C illustrates a bottom view of a rotor and
slider assembly of the electronic reversing valve of FIG . 1
according to an example embodiment;
[0013] FIG . 4A illustrates a side view of a rotor and slider
assembly for use in the electronic reversing valve of FIG . 1
according to another example embodiment;
[0014 ] FIG . 4B illustrates a retaining structure of the rotor
and slider assembly 400 according to another example
embodiment;
[0015 ] FIG . 5 illustrates a side view of the electronic
reversing valve of FIG . 1 configured to operate in a first
mode according to an example embodiment;
[0016 ] FIG . 6 illustrates a side view of the electronic
reversing valve of FIG . 1 configured to operate in a second
mode according to an example embodiment;
[0017 ] FIG . 7 illustrates a heat pump system including the
electronic reversing valve of FIG . 1 in a cooling mode
according to an example embodiment; and
[0018 ] FIG . 8 illustrates a heat pump system including the
electronic reversing valve of FIG . 1 in a heating mode
according to an example embodiment.
[0019 ] The drawings illustrate only example embodiments
and are therefore not to be considered limiting in scope . The
elements and features shown in the drawings are not nec
essarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon clearly
illustrating the principles of the example embodiments .
Additionally , certain dimensions or placements may be
exaggerated to help visually convey such principles. In the
drawings, the same reference numerals that are used in
different drawings designate like or corresponding, but not
necessarily identical elements .
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLE
EMBODIMENTS
[0020 ] In the following paragraphs, example embodi
ments will be described in further detail with reference to the
figures. In the description , well-known components, meth
US 2020/0200440 A1
2
ods, and /or processing techniques are omitted or briefly
described . Furthermore , reference to various feature (s ) of
the embodiments is not to suggest that all embodiments must
include the referenced feature (s ).
[0021 ] Turning now to the figures, particular example
embodiments are described . FIG . 1 illustrates a side view of
an electronic reversing valve 100 according to an example
embodiment. In some example embodiments, the electronic
reversing valve 100 includes a housing 102 and a stator 104
attached to the housing 102 on the outside of the housing
102. For example, the stator 104 may have a rubber jacket
that is slipped over the housing 102 at one end of the housing
102 as shown in FIG . 1 .
[0022] In some example embodiments, the housing 102
may include multiple ports 106 , 108 , 110 , 112. For example ,
the port 106 may be on one side of the housing 102 and the
ports 108 , 110 , 112 may be on an opposite side of the
housing 102. The ports 106-112 provide openings into
and / or out of the cavity of the housing 102. To illustrate , the
port 106 may be a discharge line input port designed to be
fluidly coupled to a discharge port of a compressor of a heat
pump system . The port 108 may be a suction line output port
designed to be fluidly coupled to a suction port of a
compressor of a heat pump system .
[0023 ] In some example embodiments , the port 110 may
be an indoor unit connection port designed to be fluidly
coupled to an indoor coil of a heat pump system , and the port
112 may be an outdoor unit connection port designed to be
fluidly coupled to an outdoor coil of a heat pump system .
Alternatively , the port 110 may be an outdoor unit connec
tion port designed to be fluidly coupled to an outdoor coil of
a heat pump system , and the port 112 may be an indoor unit
connection port designed to be fluidly coupled to an indoor
coil of a heat pump system .
[ 0024] In some example embodiments, the dimensions of
electronic reversing valve 100 are substantially the same as
the dimensions of a typical reversing valve. For example, the
port 106 may have an outer diameter of approximately 0.5
inches, and the ports 108-112 may each have an outer
diameter of approximately 0.75 inches. The housing 102
may also have a cylindrical shape that is similar to typical
reversing valves. The stator 104 may be positioned annularly
on the outside of the housing 102 at one of the housing 102.
[0025 ] In some example embodiments, the stator 104 may
generate a magnetic force that is applied to a rotor positioned
in the cavity of the housing 102 as shown, for example, in
FIGS . 2 , 4 , and 5. To illustrate , the housing 102 may be at
least partially made from a non -ferrous material ( e.g. , cop
per ) that allows the magnetic field generated by the stator
104 to reach the rotor. The stator 104 may generate the
magnetic field in response to an electrical signal provided to
the stator 104 via an electrical connection 114 ( e.g., one or
more electrical wires). The electrical connection 114 may be
connected to a controller /control board , for example , using
a connector 116. Alternatively, the electrical connection 114
may be connected to the controller/ control board without the
use of the connector 116. The electrical signal that is
provided to the stator 104 via the electrical connection 114
may include one or more electrical pulses that result in the
stator 104 generating corresponding magnetic forces .
[0026 ] In some example embodiments , the ports 106-112
may be attached to the housing 102 , for example , by welding
the ports 106-112 to the housing 102 at respective openings
in the housing 102. The ports 106-112, which may have a
Jun . 25 , 2020
tubular or another shape, may be made from a different
material or the same material as the housing 102. For
example, the housing 102 and the ports 106-112 may be
made from copper and/ or another material in a manner that
can be contemplated by those of ordinary skill in the art with
the benefit of this disclosure . The stator 104 can be attached
to the housing 102 using a rubber jacket that is slipped over
a portion of the housing 102. The rubber jacket may also
provide a protection to the stator 104 from outside elements .
[0027 ] In some example embodiments, the electronic
reversing valve 100 may be operated in a cooling mode or
a heating mode of a heat pump system . As explained in more
detail below , a slider that is positioned in the cavity of the
housing 102 may move laterally within the housing 102
opening and closing refrigerant flow paths through the
electronic reversing valve 100. The movement of the slider
is controlled by the stator 104 that controls the rotation of the
rotor that is inside the housing 102. By controlling the
electricalpulses that are provided to the stator 104 based on
the desired mode of operation , the flow paths through the
electronic reversing valve 100 can be controlled .
[0028 ] Although the electronic reversing valve 100 is
shown in a particular orientation , the electronic reversing
valve 100 may be used in a different orientation without
departing from the scope of this disclosure. Although the
electronic reversing valve 100 is shown as having a particu
lar shape , in alternative embodiments, the electronic revers
ing valve 100 may have a different shape without departing
from the scope of this disclosure . For example, the housing
102 may have a non -cylindrical shape . As another example ,
end portions of the housing 102 may have a round shape or
another shape without departing from the scope of this
disclosure. In some alternative embodiments, the ports 106
112 may be at different locations than shown without depart
ing from the scope of this disclosure. In some alternative
embodiments, the stator 104 may be at a different location
than shown without departing from the scope of this disclo
sure . For example, the stator 104 may be at the opposite end
of the housing 102 or in amiddle portion ofthe housing 102.
[0029 ] FIG . 2 illustrates a side view of the electronic
reversing valve 100 of FIG . 1 showing internal components
of the electronic reversing valve 100 according to an
example embodiment. In FIG . 2 , the portions of the housing
102 and the portion of the stator 104 are shown as trans
parent components to more clearly show the internal com
ponents of the electronic reversing valve 100. Referring to
FIGS. 1 and 2, in some example embodiments, the electronic
reversing valve 100 includes a slider 202 and a rotor 204 that
are positioned in the cavity of the housing 102. The stator
104 is annularly positioned around a portion of the housing
such that the stator 204 is at least partially aligned with the
rotor 204. In some example embodiments, the rotor 204 may
be a 6 -pole or 8 -pole direct -current (DC ) brushless rotor .
[0030 ] In some example embodiments , the electronic
reversing valve 100 may also include a shaft 206 that is
attached to the slider 202 and to the rotor 204. The diagonal
lines and the dotted line boundary of the shaft 206 in FIG .
2 are intended to show threads of the shaft 206. The slider
102 is moveable laterally (i.e., right to left and left to right
in the orientation shown in FIGS . 1 and 2 ) within the cavity
of the housing 102 in response to a rotation of the rotor 204 .
To illustrate, the rotor 204 may rotate in response to a
magnetic force generated by the stator 104 based on an
electrical signal (e.g. , an electrical pulse ) provided to the
US 2020/0200440 A1
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stator 104. In some example embodiments , the rotor 204
may have a cylindrical outer shape and may have an outer
diameter that is less than the inner diameter of the housing
102 such that the rotor 204 can freely rotate within the
housing 102.
[0031 ] In some example embodiments, the rotor 204 may
include an attachment hole 228 ( shown in FIG . 2 bounded
by dotted lines for illustrative purposes ), and a portion 208
of the shaft 206 may be in the attachment hole 228 such that
the rotor 204 can rotate about the portion 208 of the shaft
206. The shaft 206 may be move laterally based on the
rotation of the rotor 204. For example , the shaft 206 may
move further into the attachment hole 228 in response to a
rotation of the rotor 204 in one direction (e.g., a clockwise
direction ) and the shaft 206 may move in the opposite lateral
direction in response to a rotation of the rotor 204 in another
direction ( e.g., a counterclockwise direction ). To illustrate ,
at least the portion 208 of the shaft 206 and the attachment
hole 228 may be threaded such that the shaft 206 moves
laterally within the attachment hole 208 in response to the
rotation of the rotor 204 .
[0032 ] In some example embodiments, an end portion 210
of the shaft 206 is attached to the slider 202 such that the
shaft 206 can rotate relative to the slider 202. For example ,
the end portion 210 of the shaft 206 may be positioned in an
attachment hole 230 (shown in dotted lines for illustrative
purposes) of the slider 202 in a laterally fixed position (or a
restricted lateral movement position ) with respect to the
slider 202. Such positioning of the end portion 210 enables
the slider 202 to move laterally along with the shaft 206
while allowing the shaft 206 to rotate within the attachment
hole 230. To illustrate , the attachment hole 230 may be
physically restricted (e.g., narrowed ) after the end portion
210 is inserted into the attachmenthole 230. The end portion
210 may or may not be threaded . To limit a rotational
movement of the slider 202 , in some example embodiments ,
a portion 232 of the port 108 may extend into the cavity of
the housing 102 .
[0033 ] Because the shaft 206 moves laterally in response
to the rotation of the rotor 204 , the slider 202 moves laterally
along with the shaft 206 in response to the rotation of the
rotor 204. To illustrate , the slider 202 may move laterally
away from the rotor 204 when the rotor rotates in a first
direction , and the slider 202 may move laterally toward the
rotor 204 when the rotor rotates in a second direction that is
opposite to the first direction . For example , the first direction
may be a clockwise direction or a counterclockwise direc
tion depending on the threading of the shaft 206 and the
attachment hole 208 .
[0034 ] In some example embodiments , the slider 202
includes multiple channels. For example, the slider 202 may
include a channel 222 that is formed through the slider 202
such that the channel 222 extends between an opening 212
and an opening 218 of the slider 202. For example , the
openings 212 and 218 may be diametrically on opposite
sides of the slider 202 from each other. The slider 202 may
also include a channel 224 that is formed through the slider
202 such that the channel 224 extends between an opening
216 and an opening 220 of the slider 202. For example , the
openings 216 and 220 may be diametrically on opposite
sides of the slider 202 from each other. The channel 222 or
the channel 224 provide a flow path through the port 106
depending on the lateral position of the slider 202 in the
cavity of the housing 102.
Jun . 25 , 2020
[0035 ] In some example embodiments , the slider 202 may
include a channel 226 that is formed in the slider 202. For
example , the channel 226 may have a single opening 214 .
Alternatively , the channel may have multiple openings that
are on the same side of the slider 202. The channel 226 may
provide as a refrigerant flow path between the port 108 of the
housing 102 and the port 110 or the port 112 depending on
the lateral position of the slider 202 in the cavity of the
housing 102. In some example embodiments , the portion
232 of the port 108 may extend into the channel 226 to
prevent or limit a rotation of the slider 202 .
[0036 ] In some example embodiments, electrical pulses of
a desired polarity may be applied to the stator 204 via the
connection 114 to move the slider 202 to a desired lateral
position within the cavity of the housing 102. The number of
electrical pulses that need to be applied to the stator 104 to
place the slider 202 to a desired position may be determined
through a calibration of the electronic reversing valve 100 .
For example , starting with the slider 202 at a position closest
to the rotor 204 , an operator and /or a calibration device that
apply pulses to the stator 104 can count the number of pulses
that are applied to the stator 204 to move the slider 202 to
the farthest position in the housing 102. Based on the total
number of pulses and the known lateral distance traveled by
the slider 202 , the number of pulses needed to move the
slider 202 from one position to another position and the
position of the slider 202 after a particular number of pulses
are applied can be determined during normal operations.
[0037 ] By applying pulses to the stator 104, the slider 202
can be moved to a desired position within the housing 102
such that desired refrigerant flow paths through electronic
reversing valve 100 are selected based on the desired mode
ofoperation of the electronic reversing valve 100.After the
electronic reversing valve 100 is set to operate in either a
cooling mode and a heating mode , no electrical power needs
to be applied to the stator 104 to maintain the slider 202 in
the desired position . By using the electronic reversing valve
100 in heat pump systems, the flow capacity of the electronic
reversing valve 100 may also be adjusted by positioning the
slider 202 such that opening 218 and the opening 220 have
a desired alignment with the port 106 depending on the
mode of operation of the electronic reversing valve 100 .
Because the electronic reversing valve 100 does notrely on
pilot valves, block issues thatmay be associated with typical
reversing valves is avoided . The changeover speed from one
mode to another can also be performed reliably in a repeat
able manner. Changeover speed can be more reliably con
trolled to optimize noise associated with defrost. In the event
of a failure of the stator 204 , a new stator can be slipped over
housing 102 without the need to replace or open the elec
tronic reversing valve 100 .
[0038 ] In some example embodiments , the channels 222 ,
224 , 226 and the attachment hole 230 may be milled out
from a solid structure that is made of, for example , brass or
another suitable material to form the slider 202. In some
example embodiments , the rotor 204 may be made from a
non -metallic material that holds magnets such that the rotor
204 can rotate in response to a magnetic force from the stator
104. In some example embodiments , an opening at one end
of the housing 102 may be closed after the slider 202 along
with the rotor 204 and the shaft 206 are placed in the cavity
of the housing 102. In some alternative embodiments , one or
US 2020/0200440 A1
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more of the ports 106-112 may be attached to the housing
102 after the slider 202 is placed in the cavity of the housing
102 .
[0039 ] In some alternative embodiments, the slider 202 ,
the rotor 204 , and /or the shaft 206 may have a different
shape than shown without departing from the scope of this
disclosure . In some alternative embodiments, one ormore of
the channels 222, 224 , 226 may have a different shape than
shown without departing from the scope of this disclosure .
In some example embodiments , the ports 106-112 may have
different shapes than shown without departing from the
scope of this disclosure. For example, one or more of the
ports may have a swage end. In some alternative embodi
ments, the relative dimensions of the different components
of the electronic reversing valve 100 may be different than
shown without departing from the scope of this disclosure.
In some alternative embodiments , the end portion 210 of the
shaft 206 may extend into the slider 202 more or less than
shown without departing from the scope of this disclosure.
In some example embodiments , the electronic reversing
valve 100 may include more or fewer components than
shown without departing from the scope of this disclosure .
[0040 ] FIG . 3A illustrates a top view of a rotor and slider
assembly 300 of the electronic reversing valve 100 of FIG .
1 according to an example embodiment. FIG . 3B illustrates
a side view of the rotor and slider assembly 300 of the
electronic reversing valve 100 of FIG . 1 according to an
example embodiment. FIG . 3C illustrates a bottom view of
a rotor and slider assembly 300 of the electronic reversing
valve 100 of FIG . 1 according to an example embodiment.
Referring to FIGS. 1-3C , in some example embodiments ,
the rotor and slider assembly 300 includes the slider 202, the
rotor 204 , and the shaft 206 shown in FIG . 2. In contrast to
FIG . 2, the portions of the shaft 206 that in the respective
attachment holes of the slider 202 and the rotor 204 are not
shown in FIGS. 3A - 3C .
[0041] In some example embodiments , the openings 212 ,
214, 216 are diametrically on one side of the slider 202 and
the openings 218 , 220 are on an opposite side of the slider
202. The channels 222 , 224 formed through to the slider 202
may be internal to the slider 202 except for the respective
openings 212 , 218 and 216 , 220. The channel 226 is formed
in the slider 202 such that the channel 226 can be aligned
with at least two of the ports 108 , 110 , 112 simultaneously .
[0042 ] In some example embodiments, the slider 202 may
include o -ring grooves 302, 304 that are formed in the slider
202 , for example , by milling the slider 202. For example, the
O -ring groove 302 may be proximal to one longitudinal end
of the slider 202 and the o - ring 304 may be proximal to
another longitudinal end of the slider 202. The o -ring
grooves 302 , 304 are each designed to hold a respective
O -ring (shown in FIG . 5 ) that is slipped on the slider 202. For
example , the o -rings may reduce the risk of refrigerant flow
from the channels 222, 224 , 226 to the cavity of the housing
102 on the outside of the o -rings .
[ 0043 ] In some example embodiments, the slider 202
includes bleed channels 306 , 308. The bleed channel 306
may fluidly connect the cavity of the housing 102 on one
side of the slider 202 with the channel 224. The bleed
channel 308 may fluidly connect the cavity of the housing
102 on another side of the slider 202 with the channel 222 .
The bleed channels 306 , 308 may allow refrigerant that
enters the cavity of the housing 102 outside of the slider 202
to return back to the respective channel.
Jun . 25 , 2020
[0044 ] In some alternative embodiments , the slider 202 ,
the rotor 204, and/or the slider 202 may have a different
shape than shown without departing from the scope of this
disclosure . In some alternative embodiments, one or more of
the openings 212 , 214 , 216 , 218 , 220 may have a different
shape and /or dimensions than shown without departing from
the scope of this disclosure. In some alternative embodi
ments, the channels 222 , 224 , 226 may have a different
shape and /or dimensions than shown withoutdeparting from
the scope of this disclosure . Some portions of the shaft 206
may have a round outer shape or another shape.
[0045 ] FIG . 4A illustrates a side view of a rotor and slider
assembly 400 for use in the electronic reversing valve 100
of FIG . 1 according to another example embodiment. FIG .
4B illustrates a retaining structure of the rotor and slider
assembly 400 according to another example embodiment.
Referring to FIGS. 1-4B , in some example embodiments ,
the rotor and slider assembly 400 includes the slider 202, the
rotor 204 , and the shaft 206 and generally corresponds to the
rotor and slider assembly 300 shown in FIGS. 3A - 3C . In
some example embodiments, the rotor and slider assembly
400 may also include a retaining structure 402 .
[0046 ] In some example embodiments, the retaining struc
ture 402 is designed to be press fit against the inner surface
of the housing 102 such that the retaining structure 402
prevents or limits lateral movement of the rotor 204. To
illustrate, a length of the retaining structure 402 may be
larger than the inner diameter of the housing 102 allowing
the retaining structure 402 to be firmly attached to the inner
surface of the housing 102 when the retaining structure 402
is pressed into the cavity of the housing 102.
[0047 ] In some example embodiments, the retaining struc
ture 402 may have a hole 404, where the shaft 206 passes
through the hole 404 to extend between the slider 202 and
the rotor 204. The hole 404 may be larger than the outer
dimension ( e.g., diameter ) of the shaft 206 such that the
shaft 206 does not come in contact with the retaining
structure .
[0048 ] In some example embodiments, the slider 202 and
the shaft 206 may pushed into the cavity of the housing 102
on an open end of the housing 102 prior to the attachment
of the rotor 204 to the shaft 206. The retaining structure 402 ,
which may be made from brass, copper, or another suitable
material, may then be press fit into the cavity of the housing
102 such that the shaft 206 passes through the hole 404. The
rotor 204 may be attached to the shaft 206 after the retaining
structure 402 is securely attached to the inner surface of the
housing 102. The open end of the housing 102 may be closed
by an end cap after the internal components of the housing
102 are placed in the rity of the housing 102 .
[0049 ] In some alternative embodiments , the slider 202 ,
the rotor 204 , the shaft 206 , and /or the retaining structure
402 may have a different shape and/or dimensions than
shown without departing from the scope of this disclosure .
In some alternative embodiments , the hole 402 may a
different shape and/or dimensions than shown without
departing from the scope of this disclosure .
[ 0050] FIG . 5 illustrates a side view of the electronic
reversing valve 100 of FIG . 1 configured to operate in a first
mode according to an example embodiment. For example , as
shown in FIG . 5 , the electronic reversing valve 100 may be
used in a cooling mode operation of a heat pump system . In
FIG . 5 , the stator 104 is not shown for clarity of illustration .
Referring to FIGS . 1-5 , in some example embodiments , an
US 2020/0200440 A1
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O -ring 502 may be attached to the slider 202 proximal to one
end of the slider 202 , and an o -ring 504 may be attached to
the slider 202 proximal to another end of the slider 202. For
example , the o -ring 502 may be positioned in the groove 304
shown in FIG . 3A , and the o -ring 504 may be positioned in
the groove 302 shown in FIG . 3A . The o - rings 502 , 504
(e.g., rubber o -rings ) may reduce the risk of refrigerant flow
from the channels 222, 224, 226 to the cavity of the housing
102 on the right and left sides of the slider 202.
[0051] In some example embodiments , a retaining struc
ture 506 (e.g., the retaining structure 402 shown in FIGS. 4A
and 4B or a snap ring) may be attached to the inner surface
of the housing 102 to restrict the lateral movement of the
rotor 202 toward the right side in the orientation shown in
FIG . 5. In some example embodiments, another retaining
structure 508 (e.g., a snap ring or another structure) may be
attached to the inner surface of the housing 102 to restrict the
lateral movement of the rotor 202 toward the left side ( i.e.,
toward an end cap 514 ) in the orientation shown in FIG . 5 .
[0052] In some example embodiments, the rotor 204 has
been rotated by applying pulses to the stator 104 as
described above to position the slider 202 as shown in FIG .
5 , for example, for a cooling operation mode of a heat pump
system . For example, a portion 510 of the shaft 206 is
positioned in the attachmenthole 228 of the rotor 204 such
that the shaft 206 extends outside of the rotor 204 to place
the slider 202 in a desired position that establishes desired
refrigerant flow paths through the electronic reversing valve
100 .
[0053] To illustrate , the port 106 , the channel 222 , and the
port 110 may define a refrigerant flow path ( shown by the
arrow A ) that allows refrigerant to flow through the elec
tronic reversing valve 100. For example , the port 106 may
be fluidly connected to a discharge port of a compressor, and
the port 110 may be connected to an outdoor coil, where the
flow path through the channel 222 allows the hot refrigerant
to flow from the compressor to the outdoor coil . The port
112 , the channel 226 , and the port 108 may define another
refrigerant flow path (shown by the arrow B ) that allows
refrigerant to flow through the electronic reversing valve
100. For example, the port 108 may be fluidly connected to
a suction port of the compressor, and the port 112 may be
connected to an indoor coil, where the flow path through the
channel 226 allows refrigerant to flow from the indoor coil
to the compressor.
[0054 ] In some example embodiments , in the position of
the slider 202 shown in FIG . 5 , the channel 224 may be
generally closed off by the housing 102. To illustrate , the
openings 216 , 220 (more clearly shown in FIGS. 2 and 3B )
may be misaligned with the ports of the housing 102 and
may be abutted against the inner surface of the housing 102 .
[0055 ] In some example embodiments , the bleed port 306
may allow a refrigerant that may be trapped between the
slider 202 and an end wall 512 of the housing 102 to flow
to the channel 224. Allowing trapped refrigerant to flow to
the channel 224 enables the slider 202 to move laterally to
a desired position and reduces the resistance force that may
be exerted against the slider 202 by the trapped refrigerant.
The bleed channel 308 also serves a similar purpose as the
slider 202 moves laterally toward the rotor 204 .
[0056 ] In some example embodiments , the end cap 514
may be attached to the cylindrical portion of the housing 102
to seal the internal components of the electronic reversing
valve 100 inside the housing 102. For example , the end cap
Jun . 25 , 2020
514 may be removably attached by screwing the end cap 514
onto the cylindrical portion of the housing 102. To illustrate ,
a silicone or other gasketmay be used to adequately seal the
end cap 514. Alternatively , the end cap 514 may be welded
or otherwise more permanently attached to the cylindrical
portion of the housing 102.
[0057 ] In some example embodiments, the electronic
reversing valve 100 having the slider 202 positioned as
shown in FIG . 5 may be used in a heating mode operation
of a heat pump system without departing from the scope of
this disclosure. For example , in a heat pump system where
the port 110 is coupled to an outdoor coil and where the port
112 is coupled to an indoor coil, the position of the slider 202
shown in FIG . 5 may correspond to a heating mode opera
tion of the heat pump system .
[0058 ] FIG . 6 illustrates a side view of the electronic
reversing valve 100 of FIG . 1 configured to operate in a
second mode according an example embodiment. For
example , as shown in FIG . 6 , the electronic reversing valve
100 may be used in a heating mode operation of a heat pump
system . In FIG . 6 , the stator 104 is not shown for clarity of
illustration . Referring to FIGS. 1-6 , in some example
embodiments , the slider 202 may bemoved from the posi
tion shown in FIG . 5 to the position shown in FIG . 6 and vice
versa by applying appropriate polarity electrical pulses to
the stator 104 as described above .
[0059] In FIG . 6 , a relatively longer portion 602 of the
shaft 206 (as compared to the portion 510 shown in FIG . 5 )
is positioned in the attachment hole 228 of the rotor 204 such
that a smaller portion of the shaft 206 extends outside of the
rotor 204 as compared to FIG . 5. That is , the lateral
movement of the shaft 206 resulting from the rotation of the
rotor 204 has moved the slider 202 closer to rotor establish
ing desired refrigerant flow paths through the electronic
reversing valve 100.
[0060 ] To illustrate, in FIG . 6 , the port 106 , the channel
224 , and the port 112 may define refrigerant flow path
(shown by the arrow C ) that allows refrigerant to flow
through the electronic reversing valve 100. For example, the
port 106 may be fluidly connected to a discharge port of a
compressor, and the port 112 may be connected to an indoor
coil, where the flow path through the channel 224 allows the
hot refrigerant to flow from the compressor to the indoor coil
(in a heatingmode ). The port 110 , the channel 226 , and the
port 108 may define another refrigerant flow path (shown by
the arrow D ) that allows refrigerant to flow through the
electronic reversing valve 100. For example , the port 108
may be fluidly connected to a suction port of the compressor,
and the port 110 may be connected to an indoor coil, where
the refrigerant flow path through the channel 226 allows
refrigerant to flow from the indoor coil to the compressor.
[0061 ] In some example embodiments , in the position of
the slider 202 shown in FIG . 6 , the channel 22 may be
generally closed off by the housing 102 in a similar manner
as described with respect to the channel 224 in FIG . 5. In
some example embodiments, the bleed port 308 may allow
a refrigerant that may be trapped between the slider 202 and
the rotor 204 to flow to the channel 222. Allowing trapped
refrigerant to flow to the channel 222 enables the slider 202
to move laterally to a desired position and reduces the
resistance force that may be exerted against the slider 202 by
the trapped refrigerant .
[0062 ] In some example embodiments, the electronic
reversing valve 100 having the slider 202 positioned as
US 2020/0200440 A1
6
shown in FIG . 6 may be used in a cooling mode operation
of a heat pump system without departing from the scope of
this disclosure . For example, in a heat pump system where
the port 110 is coupled to an indoor coil and where the port
112 is coupled to an outdoor coil, the position of the slider
202 shown in FIG . 6 may correspond to a cooling mode
operation of the heat pump system .
[0063] FIG . 7 illustrates a heat pump system 700 including
the electronic reversing valve 100 of FIG . 1 in a cooling
mode of operation according to an example embodiment.
For example , the electronic reversing valve 100 may be
configured as shown in FIG . 5 to operate in a cooling mode
of the heat pump system 700. Referring to FIGS. 1-7 , in
some example embodiments, the system 700 includes an
indoor coil 702, an outdoor coil 704 , a compressor 706 , and
the electronic reversing valve 100. The system 700 may also
include an expansion valve 708 that is between the indoor
coil 702 and the outdoor coil 704 .
[0064 ] In FIG . 7 , the dotted arrow between the ports 112
and 108 shows the direction of the refrigerant flow from the
indoor coil to a suction port of the compressor 706 through
the electronic reversing valve 100. The dotted arrow
between the ports 106 and 110 shows the direction of the
refrigerant flow from the discharge port of the compressor
706 to the outdoor coil 704 through the electronic reversing
valve 100. As shown in FIG . 7 , the indoor coil operates as
an evaporator coil, and the outdoor coil operates as a
condenser coil.
[0065 ] In some example embodiments, the controller (or a
control board ) 710 may control operations of the heat pump
system 700. For example , the controller 710 may control
whether the heat pump system 700 operates in cooling mode
or a heating mode and the change over from one mode of
operation to another. For example , the controller 710 , which
may include a microcontroller along with supporting com
ponents, may provide and control the electrical pulses that
are provided to the stator 104 of the electronic reversing
valve 100 to change the operation mode of the electronic
reversing valve 100 from a heating mode to the cooling
mode illustrated in FIG . 7 or vice versa .
[0066 ] In some example embodiments , the system 700
may include components other than shown in FIG . 7 without
departing from the scope of this disclosure . For example , the
system 700 may include valve(s ), filter(s), a drier(s ), etc. in
one or more of the refrigerant lines as can be readily
understood by those of ordinary skill in the art with the
benefit of this disclosure . In some alternative embodiments ,
in another heat pump system , the port 110 may be coupled
to the indoor coil 702, and the port 112 may be coupled to
the outdoor coil 704 .
[ 0067 ] FIG . 8 illustrates the heat pump system 700 includ
ing the electronic reversing valve of FIG . 1 in a heating
mode of operation according to an example embodiment. In
some example embodiments, the controller 710 controls the
stator 104 to change the operation of the system 700 from
the cooling mode operation shown in FIG . 7 to the heating
mode operation of FIG . 8. As shown in FIG . 8 , the dotted
arrow between the port 110 and the port 108 shows the
direction of the refrigerant flow from the outdoor coil 704 to
the suction port of the compressor 706 through the electronic
reversing valve 100. The dotted arrow between the ports 106
and the port 112 shows the direction of the refrigerant flow
from the discharge port of the compressor 706 to the indoor
coil 704 through the electronic reversing valve 100. As
Jun . 25 , 2020
shown in FIG . 8 , the indoor coil operates as a condenser coil ,
and the outdoor coil operates as an evaporator coil.
[0068 ] Although particular embodiments have been
described herein in detail, the descriptions are by way of
example . The features of the embodiments described herein
are representative and , in alternative embodiments , certain
features, elements, and /or steps may be added or omitted .
Additionally , modifications to aspects of the embodiments
described herein may be made by those skilled in the art
without departing from the spirit and scope of the following
claims, the scope of which are to be accorded the broadest
interpretation so as to encompass modifications and equiva
lent structures .
What is claimed is :
1. An electronic reversing valve for use in a heat pump
system , the electronic reversing valve comprising :
a housing having multiple ports ;
a slider positioned in a cavity of the housing , the slider
having multiple channels , wherein the multiple ports
and the multiple channels define refrigerant flow paths
depending on a position of the slider in the cavity of the
housing;
a rotor positioned in the cavity of the housing ; and
a stator positioned outside of the housing, wherein the
slider is moveable laterally within the cavity of the
housing in response to a rotation of the rotor and
wherein the rotor is designed to rotate in response to a
magnetic force generated by the stator .
2. The electronic reversing valve of claim 1, wherein the
slider is moveable laterally away from the rotor when the
rotor rotates in a first direction and wherein the slider is
moveable laterally toward the rotor when the rotor rotates in
a second direction that is opposite to the first direction .
3. The electronic reversing valve of claim 2, further
comprising a shaft attached to the rotor and to the slider,
wherein the rotor is rotatable about a portion of the shaft,
wherein the portion of the shaft is attached to the rotor, and
wherein the slider is moveable laterally along with the shaft.
4. The electronic reversing valve of claim 3, wherein the
portion of the shaft is threaded and wherein the portion of
the shaft is positioned in a threaded attachment hole of the
rotor .
5. The electronic reversing valve of claim 4 , wherein an
end portion of the shaft is attached to the slider and wherein
the shaft is rotatable relative to the slider .
6. The electronic reversing valve of claim 1, further
comprising one or more retaining structures positioned in
the cavity of the housing to prevent a lateralmovement of
the rotor.
7. The electronic reversing valve of claim 6 , wherein the
one or more retaining structures include a first snap ring
attached to an inner surface of the housing between the rotor
and the slider.
8. The electronic reversing valve of claim 1 , wherein the
stator is annularly positioned around a portion of the housing
such that the stator is at least partially aligned with the rotor.
9. The electronic reversing valve of claim 1, further
comprising one or more bleed channels fluidly connecting
the cavity of the housing with one or more channels of the
multiple channels.
10. The electronic reversing valve of claim 1, wherein the
multiple ports include :
an outdoor unit connection port;
an indoor unit connection port;
US 2020/0200440 A1
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a discharge line input port designed to be fluidly coupled
to a discharge port of a compressor of the heat pump
system ; and
a suction line output port designed to be fluidly coupled
to a suction port of the compressor of the heat pump
system .
11. The electronic reversing valve of claim 10 , wherein
the multiple channels comprise :
a first channel formed through the slider;
a second channel formed through the slider; and
a third channel formed in the slider, wherein the discharge
line input port , the first channel, and the indoor unit
connection port define a first refrigerant flow path when
the slider is in a first position and wherein the discharge
line input port, the second channel, and the outdoor unit
connection port define a second refrigerant flow path
when the slider is in a second position .
12. The electronic reversing valve of claim 11, wherein
the outdoor unit connection port, the third channel, and the
suction line output port define a third refrigerant flow path
when the slider is in the first position and wherein the indoor
unit connection port, the third channel, and the suction line
output port define a fourth refrigerant flow path when the
slider is in the second position .
13. A rotor and slider assembly of an electronic reversing
valve for use in a heat pump system , the rotor and slider
assembly comprising:
a slider having multiple channels ;
a rotor; and
a shaft attached to the rotor and to the slider, wherein the
rotor is rotatable about a portion of the shaft that is
attached to the rotor, wherein the shaft is moveable
laterally in response to a rotation of the rotor, and
wherein the slider is moveable laterally along with the
shaft.
14. The rotor and slider assembly of claim 13 , wherein the
slider is moveable laterally away from the rotor when the
rotor rotates in a first direction and wherein the slider is
moveable laterally toward the rotor when the rotor rotates in
a second direction that is opposite to the first direction .
Jun . 25 , 2020
15. The rotor and slider assembly of claim 13, wherein the
portion of the shaft is threaded and wherein the portion of
the shaft is positioned in a threaded attachment hole of the
rotor.
16. The rotor and slider assembly of claim 13 , wherein an
end portion of the shaft is attached to the slider and wherein
the shaft is rotatable relative to the slider.
17. The rotor and slider assembly of claim 13 , wherein the
multiple channels comprise :
a first channel providing a first flow path through the
slider ;
a second channel providing a second flow path through
the slider ; and
a third channel formed in the slider.
18. A heat pump system , comprising:
an indoor coil ;
an outdoor coil ;
a compressor ; and
an electronic reversing valve , wherein the electronic
reversing valve comprises :
a housing having multiple ports;
a slider positioned in the cavity of the housing , the
slider having multiple channels, wherein the multiple
ports and the multiple channels define refrigerant
flow paths between the compressor, and the indoor
coil and the outdoor coil based on a position of the
slider in the cavity of the housing;
a rotor positioned in the cavity of the housing ; and
a stator positioned outside of the housing, wherein the
slider is moveable laterally within the cavity of the
housing in response to a rotation of the rotor and
wherein the rotor is designed to rotate in response to
a magnetic force generated by the stator.
19. The heat pump system of claim 18 , wherein the slider
is moveable laterally away from the rotor when the rotor
rotates in a first direction and wherein the slider is moveable
laterally toward the rotor when the rotor rotates in a second
direction that is opposite to the first direction .
20. The heat pump system of claim 18 , further comprising
a shaft attached to the rotor and to the slider, wherein the
rotor is rotatable about a portion of the shaft that is attached
to the rotor and wherein the slider is moveable laterally
along with the shaft .