A machine (1) for preparing a beverage (3) has a beverage processing unit (10,20) formed of a first processing unit member (10) and a second processing unit member (20) that delimit a chamber (21) and that are movable between a distant configuration in which a flavouring ingredient (2) is received in the chamber (21) and a proximate configuration in which the flavouring ingredient (2) is held and mixed with water (4) in the chamber (21) during beverage preparation. The machine includes: a water source for delivering the water (4) towards the beverage processing unit (10,20); a water guide (30) for guiding the water (4) between the water source and the chamber (21); a valve arrangement (50) for controlling a flow of the water (4) along the water guide (30); an actuator for actuating the valve arrangement (50) to control the water flow along the water guide (30); and a support structure (70) having a base (72) that is stationary during beverage preparation and that supports at least the valve arrangement (50). The valve arrangement (50) is rotatably mounted to the support structure (70) and driven in rotation by the actuator to control the water flow.

A machine (1) for preparing a beverage (3) has a beverage processing unit (10,20) formed of a first processing unit member (10) and a second processing unit member (20) that delimit a chamber (21) and that are movable between a distant configuration in which a flavouring ingredient (2) is received in the chamber (21) and a proximate configuration in which the flavouring ingredient (2) is held and mixed with water (4) in the chamber (21) during beverage preparation. The machine includes: a water source for delivering the water (4) towards the beverage processing unit (10,20); a water guide (30) for guiding the water (4) between the water source and the chamber (21); a valve arrangement (50) for controlling a flow of the water (4) along the water guide (30); an actuator for actuating the valve arrangement (50) to control the water flow along the water guide (30); and a support structure (70) having a base (72) that is stationary during beverage preparation and that supports at least the valve arrangement (50). The valve arrangement (50) is rotatably mounted to the support structure (70) and driven in rotation by the actuator to control the water flow.

A discrete step, maximum flow-rate-selectable valve includes: (a) an entry tube with: (i) an exit with a single, off-center hole that lies on the circumference of a circle of radius “r” that is centered on the centerpoint of the exit, and (ii) an exterior surface having a portion with rotational symmetry, (b) a selector tube with: (i) an exit with a plurality of holes, each having a differing diameter and a center point that lies on the circumference of a circle of radius “r” which is centered on the centerpoint of the selector tube exit, and (ii) an interior surface configured to lie proximate said entry tube, exterior surface portion having rotational symmetry so as to assist in providing a water-tight seal between said tubes, and (c) a means to enable the selector tube to rotate in discrete steps around the entry tube.

A discrete step, maximum flow-rate-selectable valve includes: (a) an entry tube with: (i) an exit with a single, off-center hole that lies on the circumference of a circle of radius “r” that is centered on the centerpoint of the exit, and (ii) an exterior surface having a portion with rotational symmetry, (b) a selector tube with: (i) an exit with a plurality of holes, each having a differing diameter and a center point that lies on the circumference of a circle of radius “r” which is centered on the centerpoint of the selector tube exit, and (ii) an interior surface configured to lie proximate said entry tube, exterior surface portion having rotational symmetry so as to assist in providing a water-tight seal between said tubes, and (c) a means to enable the selector tube to rotate in discrete steps around the entry tube.

A fluid flow control unit, in a preferred embodiment, mounted on a section of pipe having a tubular wall forming a fluid flow passage with a flow axis, the unit having a gate section, and a gate pivot section, the pivot section having a body portion mounted on the pipe outer wall surface, a gate mounting cavity formed in the body portion and opening through the pipe wall and providing an access port for the gate section to the mounting cavity, a pivot shaft positioned in the cavity and mounted on bearing structure on the body portion, the diameter of the shaft being dimensioned to allow a laterally curved gate which is affixed to a surface portion of the shaft to pivot up against a ceiling of the pipe to thereby be out of the flow passage main stream at a full open, non-blocking position of the gate, and a gate position control structure on the unit for allowing predetermined degrees of rotation of the pivot shaft in response to the magnitude of fluid flow pressure forces directed against the gate.

A fluid flow control unit, in a preferred embodiment, mounted on a section of pipe having a tubular wall forming a fluid flow passage with a flow axis, the unit having a gate section, and a gate pivot section, the pivot section having a body portion mounted on the pipe outer wall surface, a gate mounting cavity formed in the body portion and opening through the pipe wall and providing an access port for the gate section to the mounting cavity, a pivot shaft positioned in the cavity and mounted on bearing structure on the body portion, the diameter of the shaft being dimensioned to allow a laterally curved gate which is affixed to a surface portion of the shaft to pivot up against a ceiling of the pipe to thereby be out of the flow passage main stream at a full open, non-blocking position of the gate, and a gate position control structure on the unit for allowing predetermined degrees of rotation of the pivot shaft in response to the magnitude of fluid flow pressure forces directed against the gate.

A valve arrangement comprises a rotatable part 32 rotatable relative to a stationary part 12, wherein one of the rotatable part 32 and the stationary part 12 includes an abutment surface 36a, 36b engageable with a stop associated with the other of the rotatable part 32 and the stationary part 12, wherein the stop comprises a stop pin 40 of hollow, substantially cylindrical faint

The valve has a pair of mutually rotatable ceramic valve bodies within the bonnet that cooperate to allow a flow of water in one relative position and to block a flow of water in a second relative position. One valve body is engaged by the valve stem to rotate therewith while the second valve body is held fixed within the bonnet via radial projections that fit into recesses in the bonnet. An elastomeric ring of square cross-section is squeezed against the non-rotatable valve body by a spiral retaining ring that is positioned in a circumferential groove in the bonnet.

A single waterway shaft structure includes a valve housing, a valve cover, a temperature control rod assembly composed of a water stopper and a temperature adjustment rod, a spring, and a gasket. A lower portion of the temperature control rod assembly is formed with an eccentric water hole. The gasket and the spring are placed in an eccentric water inlet of the valve housing in order and confined in the valve housing. The temperature control rod assembly cooperates with a faucet handle. A one-way connecting structure is provided between the valve cover and the valve housing. An upper end of the valve cover is provided with a fan-shaped limit block for limiting the turning angle of the temperature control rod assembly. The shaft is designed to be one-piece.

A refrigerant valve device may include a base provided with an inlet port, an outlet port and a valve seat face; a cover to section a valve chamber between the valve seat face and the cover; a valve body turnably disposed at a position shifted to a side of one port inside the valve chamber, the valve body being provided with a contact face sliding on the valve seat face; and a valve body drive mechanism to turn the valve body. The valve body drive mechanism may turn the valve body and thereby a refrigerant flowing passage from the inlet port to the outlet port through the valve chamber is switched at least to a first refrigerant flowing passage and to a second refrigerant flowing passage. The refrigerant flowing amount in the first refrigerant flowing passage may be smaller than a refrigerant flowing amount in the second refrigerant flowing passage.