US3756284A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Three-way, self-closing valve unit
Assignee: PTC Aerospace Inc
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Filing: 1970-08-28
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Granted: 1973-09-04
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Expires: 1990-08-28
Abstract
Abstract A lever operated, three-way valve unit provides for movable piston-like valve members in each of a pair of parallel fluid passageways which are, in turn, connected by an internal transverse passageway. A pivotally mounted valve operating member engages valve stems from the internal valve members such that air flow can be permitted into one passageway and out of the other or, alternatively, there can be an exhaust of air from one of the passageways and from the means connective with such passageway. A preferred unit provides spring biasing to have the valve members retained in normally closed mid-positions, with no air flow into or out from the valve body.
Inventors
- 👤 T Breunich
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 04:42
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16K; F16K11/00; F16K11/10; F16K11/14; F16K11/16; F16K11/168; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T137/00; Y10T137/8593; Y10T137/87056
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
303 words
A three-way valve unit which comprises in combination, a valve body with a pair of parallel spaced apart cylinder portions each adapted to accommodate a slidably movable valve member therein, a first sliding valve member in a first cylinder portion having cylinder sealing means thereon, and a second valve member in the second cylinder portion having two axially spaced apart sealing means thereon to provide at least a partially unobstructed space therebetween, a fluid port and fluid inlet passageway means into each cylinder portion, an internal transverse passageway in said valve body interconnecting said cylinder portions and said space between said cylinder sealing means of said second cylinder portion, whereby such space between the spaced apart cylinder means of said second valve member is sized to straddle the opening of said transverse passageway into said first cylinder portion, said first cylinder portion having a vent means in said valve body on the side of said valve member opposite its respective fluid port leading thereto to permit fluid flow through said body, a valve stem from each valve member extending outwardly from said valve body, a valve operating member movably connected with said valve body, one portion of said valve operating member engaging one valve stem and another portion thereof engaging the other of said valve stems whereby each stem and valve member may be selectively pushed inwardly while actuating the other oppositely, at least one of said fluid sealing means being moved responsively to said valve stem movement to permit selective fluid flow therearound from said fluid port and inlet passageway means and through at least a portion of such cylinder portion and through the valve body, and means for effecting a biased retention of said operating member in neutral position, thus to maintain said valve unit in normally closed position when non-actuated.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
303 words
A three-way valve unit which comprises in combination, a valve body with a pair of parallel spaced apart cylinder portions each adapted to accommodate a slidably movable valve member therein, a first sliding valve member in a first cylinder portion having cylinder sealing means thereon, and a second valve member in the second cylinder portion having two axially spaced apart sealing means thereon to provide at least a partially unobstructed space therebetween, a fluid port and fluid inlet passageway means into each cylinder portion, an internal transverse passageway in said valve body interconnecting said cylinder portions and said space between said cylinder sealing means of said second cylinder portion, whereby such space between the spaced apart cylinder means of said second valve member is sized to straddle the opening of said transverse passageway into said first cylinder portion, said first cylinder portion having a vent means in said valve body on the side of said valve member opposite its respective fluid port leading thereto to permit fluid flow through said body, a valve stem from each valve member extending outwardly from said valve body, a valve operating member movably connected with said valve body, one portion of said valve operating member engaging one valve stem and another portion thereof engaging the other of said valve stems whereby each stem and valve member may be selectively pushed inwardly while actuating the other oppositely, at least one of said fluid sealing means being moved responsively to said valve stem movement to permit selective fluid flow therearound from said fluid port and inlet passageway means and through at least a portion of such cylinder portion and through the valve body, and means for effecting a biased retention of said operating member in neutral position, thus to maintain said valve unit in normally closed position when non-actuated.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
62 words
The three-way unit of claim 1 further characterized in that said means to maintain said valve unit in normally closed position comprises spring means linked to said valve members and to said operating member whereby each such valve member in its respective cylinder portion is normally urged to an intermediate position and to a resulting blocking of fluid flow in all passageways.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
79 words
The three-way valve unit of claim 1 further characterized in that each of the cylinder portions have a limited length herein and there is an increased internal cross-sectional area for each passageway adjaceNt the inner end portion for each cylindrical portion, whereby the inward movement of a piston-like sealing section for a valve member will reach such area and fluid flow can pass therearound into at least a portion of a cylinder portion for flow through the valve body.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
81 words
The three-way unit of claim 1 further characterized in that each of said spaced apart cylindrical portions within the valve body is in axial alignment with the other and the fluid inlet passageway means adjacent a cylinder portion is, in each instance, of slightly larger cross-sectional area than said cylinder portion, whereby a piston-like section of the valve member may be moved inwardly into said passageway means to permit flow therearound and into at least a part of the cylinder portion.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
64 words
The three-way valve unit of claim 4 still further characterized in that spring biasing means are provided in each of the axially aligned passageway means to provide spring compressive forces against the inner faces of the valve members and in turn provide opposing forces that will maintain said valve members in normally neutral positions at intermediate points within the zones of their reciprocating travel.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
57 words
The three-way valve unit of claim 4 further characterized in that said spring biasing means is provided externally from the valve body and in association with the valve operating member to effect the positioning of the latter in an intermediate position, whereby the valve stem and valve members are in turn retained in normally closed intermediate positions.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
71 words
The three-way valve unit of claim 1 further characterized in that the inlet fluid passageway means to each of the respective cylinder portions within the valve body connects with an interior side portion thereof at a zone opposing the innermost travel of the piston-like fluid sealing section for each valve member, whereby fluid flow may pass around said piston-like sealing sections when the latter are moved inwardly to their innermost positions.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
58 words
The three-way valve unit of claim 1 further characterized in that said valve operating member is pivotally and rockably connected to said valve body between said valve stems and has projecting and opposing arm portions to engage said stems, whereby the valve stems will be caused to move in opposite directions upon the actuation of said operating member.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-09-03 | 1977-03-05 | 1977-09-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-09-03 | 1981-03-05 | 1981-09-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-09-03 | 1985-03-05 | 1985-09-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |