US3779269A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Flow switching valve
Assignee: Alcatel USA Corp
•
Filing: 1972-01-20
•
Granted: 1973-12-18
•
Expires: 1992-01-20
Abstract
Abstract A fluid flow valve is disclosed for sequentially switching an incoming fluid stream through each of a plurality of outlet ports. An impeller is disposed for angular rotation within the valve and turns in response to the flow of fluid. The impeller is connected to a rotor by means of a planetary gear train. The rotor operates a cam which opens one segment of a multi-segmented plate associated with the outlet ports, thereby allowing fluid flow through the selected outlet ports.
Inventors
- 👤 H Gould
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 15:20
CPC Classifications
A; A01; A01G; A01G25/00; A01G25/16; A01G25/162; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T137/00; Y10T137/2496; Y10T137/2559; Y10T137/265; Y10T137/2668; Y10T137/2688; Y10T137/269; Y10T137/8593; Y10T137/86389; Y10T137/86405; Y10T137/86413
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
159 words
Apparatus for switching a fluid flow between an inlet port and selected ones of a plurality of outlet ports, said apparatus comprising in combination: an impeller disposed for angular rotation between the inlet port and the outlet ports and responsive to the fluid flow; a rotor disposed within said apparatus; a planetary gear train driven by said impeller for translating, at a reduced angular rate, the rotation of said impeller into the rotation of said rotor; a plate mounted within said apparatus, said plate having a plurality of independently movable segments, each of said segments being adjacent to a corresponding one of said plurality of outlet ports and being movable to selectively permit fluid flow between the inlet port and the selected outlet ports; and means responsive to said rotor for sequentially moving said segments from the outlet ports, whereby the fluid flow entering the apparatus through the inlet port is sequentially directed through each of the outlet ports.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
159 words
Apparatus for switching a fluid flow between an inlet port and selected ones of a plurality of outlet ports, said apparatus comprising in combination: an impeller disposed for angular rotation between the inlet port and the outlet ports and responsive to the fluid flow; a rotor disposed within said apparatus; a planetary gear train driven by said impeller for translating, at a reduced angular rate, the rotation of said impeller into the rotation of said rotor; a plate mounted within said apparatus, said plate having a plurality of independently movable segments, each of said segments being adjacent to a corresponding one of said plurality of outlet ports and being movable to selectively permit fluid flow between the inlet port and the selected outlet ports; and means responsive to said rotor for sequentially moving said segments from the outlet ports, whereby the fluid flow entering the apparatus through the inlet port is sequentially directed through each of the outlet ports.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
101 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said planetary gear train comprises: a plurality of axles extending from one side of said rotor; a plurality of gears journaled on said axles, each one of said plurality of gears including a pinion gear and said plurality of gears meshing to form a gear train; a ring gear disposed within said base; and an output gear journaled on one of said axles, said output gear jointly meshing with one of said plurality of gears and with said ring gear, whereby said rotor rotates with respect to said ring gear upon rotation of said impeller.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
60 words
The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said plate comprises: a centrally apertured circular plate; a plurality of kerfs extending radially inwardly from the periphery of said plate, adjacent ones of said kerfs in combination with the corresponding peripheral edge of said plate defining segments of said plate; and a flange depending from the peripheral edge of each of said segments.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
60 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said plate comprises: a centrally apertured circular plate; a plurality of kerfs extending radially inwardly from the periphery of said plate, adjacent ones of said kerfs in combination with the corresponding peripheral edge of said plate defining segments of said plate; and a flange depending from the peripheral edge of each of said segments.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus of claim 4 including a base wherein said apparatus comprises an annular cavity disposed in said base for receiving said moving means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
95 words
The apparatus of claim 5 wherein said moving means comprises: a curved member, said curved member having a radius of curvature equivalent to the center line radius of said cavity; a first plurality of wheels attached to said curved member for maintaining said curved member above the bottom surface of said cavity; and a second plurality of wheels attached to said curved member for sequentially contacting the edges of each of said flanges, whereby said second plurality of wheels sequentially raises and lowers each of said segments as said curved member responds to said rotor.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
41 words
The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said curved member includes a plurality of keys and said rotor includes a plurality of apertures for receiving said further plurality of keys, whereby said curved member is locked to said rotor for rotation therewith.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
82 words
The apparatus of claim 7 wherein said flange includes three edtes, said three edges comprising in combination: a first edge disposed at a first angle with respect to the plane of said plate; a second edge disposed parallel to the plane of said plate; and a third edge disposed at a second angle with respect to the plane of said plate, whereby said second plurality of wheels on contacting said first and second edges raises and lowers said segments at differing rates.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus of claim 7 wherein the composition of said plate comprises resilient material, whereby said second plurality of wheels bends each of said segments.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
66 words
The apparatus of claim 4 comprising: a further plurality of keys extending upwardly from the central part of said base, equal in number to the number of said kerfs; and an elongaged aperture extending inwardly from the inner extremity of each of said kerfs for receiving one of said further plurality of keys, whereby said plate is inhibited from rotational movement with respect to said base.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
31 words
The apparatus of claim 10 wherein said plate includes a triangular aperture disposed within each of said segments, said triangular aperture being in a non-registering relationship with the corresponding outlet port.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus of claim 4 wherein the composition of said plate comprises resilient material whereby said moving means sequentially bends each of said segments.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3405733A
Cited
US3635237A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-12-17 | 1977-06-18 | 1977-12-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-12-17 | 1981-06-18 | 1981-12-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-12-17 | 1985-06-18 | 1985-12-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |