Abstract This disclosure relates to valves and valving systems for controlling the flow of fluids, particularly vapors and gases, through ports of relatively large area with relatively low pressure drops. The type of valve disclosed I call a ''''curtain valve;'''' it is comprised of an impervious flexible sheet (the curtain) movably installed to cover and uncover an opening or port on the upstream side so that the curtain seals around the edges of the port under the pressure differential across the port. To prevent deflection of the central part of the flexible sheet through the port opening a grid coextensive in area with the port opening may be provided on the downstream side, the bars of the grid being sufficient in number and spacing to support the flexible sheet or curtain which covers (or throttles) the port area. This disclosure includes such valving in a system of an array of several ports, the particular example selected to illustrate the invention being valving for controlling the flow of fluids in a typical adsorption system with three adsorbers.
In a valve of the type having a gridwork flush on one side with the upstream face of the valve port opening, an impervious flexible sheet of area greater than said port opening one edge of which is secured to one end of said opening adjacent said gridwork on the upstream side, and a roller on the side of said sheet opposite said grid, the other end of said sheet being attached to said roller to wind and unwind thereabout as said roller traverses said grid, the improvement characterized by tapes extending between said gridwork and said impervious flexible sheet and thence 180* around said roller, the ends of the tapes between said sheet and said gridwork being attached to said port opening adjacent the edge of said sheet attached thereto, the opposite ends of said tapes extending 180* around said roller being attached to wind-up reels whereby operation of said wind-up reels effects traverse of said roller across said opening and the wrapping and unwrapping of said sheet about said roller to uncover and cover said opening.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
178 words
In a valve of the type having a gridwork flush on one side with the upstream face of the valve port opening, an impervious flexible sheet of area greater than said port opening one edge of which is secured to one end of said opening adjacent said gridwork on the upstream side, and a roller on the side of said sheet opposite said grid, the other end of said sheet being attached to said roller to wind and unwind thereabout as said roller traverses said grid, the improvement characterized by tapes extending between said gridwork and said impervious flexible sheet and thence 180* around said roller, the ends of the tapes between said sheet and said gridwork being attached to said port opening adjacent the edge of said sheet attached thereto, the opposite ends of said tapes extending 180* around said roller being attached to wind-up reels whereby operation of said wind-up reels effects traverse of said roller across said opening and the wrapping and unwrapping of said sheet about said roller to uncover and cover said opening.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
48 words
A valve as set forth in claim 1 further characterized by the upstream face of said opening being at an angle to the horizontal, said sheet and said tapes being secured at the upper end of said face and said wind-up reels being mounted adjacent said upper end.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
A valve as set forth in claim 2 in which said upstream face is substantially vertical.