Patent attributes
A flow control valve (1) for a refrigeration system is disclosed. The valve (1) comprises a valve port (14) having a substantially cylindrical inner circumference arranged to receive a protruding portion of a valve member (5). The valve member (5) comprises a protruding portion having a substantially cylindrical outer circumference corresponding to the inner circumference of the valve port (14), said protruding portion also having at least one fluted part (16), said at least one fluted part (16) defining fluid passage along the at least one fluted part (16) when the valve member (5) is in the open position. The valve member (5) is provided with at least one first fluid passage (6) extending through the valve member (5) between a second valve chamber (15) and a pressure balancing chamber (8), and at least one second fluid passage (7) establishing a fluid connection between a first valve chamber (12) and the first fluid passage (6). The second fluid passage (7) has an opening arranged on the substantially cylindrical part of the protruding portion of the valve member (5). The invention allows the pressure of the balancing chamber (8) to be adjusted independently of the primary flow through the valve (1), via the fluted parts(s) (16).
