Abstract:
A valve assembly includes a refrigerant inlet port and a refrigerant outlet port having a restricted opening, with the inlet port opening at least 2 times larger than the restricted outlet port opening. The valve includes components for opening and closing the inlet port in response to valve cavity pressure between the inlet and outlet ports. The larger inlet port relative to the restricted outlet port provides for rapid pressure buildup in the valve cavity when the inlet port is open which, in turn, causes rapid closing of the inlet port. The valve is capable of rapid cycling rates, highly effective for small refrigeration or cooling apparatus, as well as for controlling pressure in other applications requiring pressure regulation.