Fluid dynamic diverter valve for an appliance

Abstract

A fluid dynamic diverter valve is provided which has a valve body with a fluid inlet zone communicating with a fluid diversion zone, which in turn communicates with a fluid outlet zone. In the fluid inlet zone there is at least one inlet for a fluid, at least one air inlet and a venturi passage for guiding the fluid as a jet. In a passage downstream of the venturi passage the air inlet communicates with the fluid jet exiting the venturi passage and the jet enters the diversion zone. Depending on whether the air inlet is blocked or not, the fluid jet either continues straight through the diversion zone to a first outlet from the valve body or, if the air stream is blocked, the jet is diverted to impinge upon a wall in the diversion chamber, the wall being arranged to be directed toward a different one of the outlet openings in the fluid outlet zone. A second (or more) air inlet might be provided and a third (or more) body outlet may be provided such that selective blocking of one of the air inlets will cause the fluid jet to be diverted in the diversion zone to a different one of the body outlet openings. A control may be provided in combination with the valve for controlling the air flow into the air inlets which may be in the form of a low power actuator. The diverter valve can be used in a wide variety of applications and has particular usefulness in a domestic appliance such as an automatic washer or dishwasher.