Patent US3863675A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3863675A
Expired / Lapsed
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Positive interlock for a multiport valve
Assignee: Pacific Fabrication Inc
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Filing: 1973-12-03
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Granted: 1975-02-04
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Expires: 1993-12-03
Abstract
Abstract A multiport valve having an inlet port and a plurality of outlet ports. The inlet port communicates with a main pressure chamber, and that chamber is separated from the outlet ports by a valving arrangement which includes a selector plate having an aperture therein for providing selective communication between the main pressure chamber and one of the outlet ports. A handle is provided to move the selector plate, and a detent, responsive to fluid pressure in the pressure chamber, is provided to lock the handle and the selector plate against movement when the chamber is pressurized. Thus, it is necessary to shut off a fluid supply pump prior to movement of the selector plate, and this feature minimizes the adverse effects of high velocity fluid across port gaskets as the selector plate is moved.
Inventors
- 👤 Arthur J Wiltshire
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 04:33
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16K; F16K11/00; F16K11/02; F16K11/06; F16K11/072; F16K11/074; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T137/00; Y10T137/8593; Y10T137/86485; Y10T137/86493; Y10T137/86718; Y10T137/86726; Y10T137/86863
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
160 words
In a mulitport valve for selectively connecting a plurality of valve ports, comprising a valve body, a main pressure chamber defined by said body, inlet port means and a plurality of outlet port means in said valve body, and communicating with said chamber, valving means comprising a selector plate covering said outlet port means and having an aperture therein for providing selective fluid communication between said chamber and one of said outlet ports, and means for rotating said selector plate to provide said selective fluid communication, in combination therewith the improvement comprising pressure-responsive means fixed to said valve body and responsive to pressure in said chamber, and means responsive to said pressure-responsive means to lock said selector plate in a selected position and against movement in either direction when the pressure in said chamber is above a preselected value and to unlock said selector plate from its selected position when the pressure in said chamber is below said preselected value.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
160 words
In a mulitport valve for selectively connecting a plurality of valve ports, comprising a valve body, a main pressure chamber defined by said body, inlet port means and a plurality of outlet port means in said valve body, and communicating with said chamber, valving means comprising a selector plate covering said outlet port means and having an aperture therein for providing selective fluid communication between said chamber and one of said outlet ports, and means for rotating said selector plate to provide said selective fluid communication, in combination therewith the improvement comprising pressure-responsive means fixed to said valve body and responsive to pressure in said chamber, and means responsive to said pressure-responsive means to lock said selector plate in a selected position and against movement in either direction when the pressure in said chamber is above a preselected value and to unlock said selector plate from its selected position when the pressure in said chamber is below said preselected value.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
31 words
The improvement according to claim 1, wherein said pressure-responsive means includes a flexible diaphragm having one surface exposed to the pressure in said chamber and another surface exposed to atmospheric pressure.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
215 words
In a multiport valve for selectively connecting a plurality of valve ports, comprising a valve body, a main pressure chamber defined by said valve body, inlet port means and a plurality of outlet port means in said valve body and communicating with said chamber, valving means comprising a selector plate covering said outlet port means and having an aperture therein for providing selective fluid communication between said chamber and one of said outlet ports, and means for rotating said selector plate to provide said selective fluid communication, in combination therewith the improvement comprising pressure-responsive means fixed to said valve body and including a flexible diaphragm having one surface exposed to the pressure in said chamber and another surface exposed to atmospheric pressure, a rod mounted on said body adapted to be driven axially by said diaphragm in response to preselected pressure values in said chamber, a selector handle fixed to said selector plate rotating means, an indicator plate fixed to said selector plate rotating means, and indicator plate fixed to said selector plate rotating means, and detent means on said indicator plate engageable by said rod at said pressure values to prevent rotation of said selector plate in either direction when said pressure values obtain and to permit rotation when said values do not obtain.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
215 words
In a multiport valve for selectively connecting a plurality of valve ports, comprising a valve body, a main pressure chamber defined by said valve body, inlet port means and a plurality of outlet port means in said valve body and communicating with said chamber, valving means comprising a selector plate covering said outlet port means and having an aperture therein for providing selective fluid communication between said chamber and one of said outlet ports, and means for rotating said selector plate to provide said selective fluid communication, in combination therewith the improvement comprising pressure-responsive means fixed to said valve body and including a flexible diaphragm having one surface exposed to the pressure in said chamber and another surface exposed to atmospheric pressure, a rod mounted on said body adapted to be driven axially by said diaphragm in response to preselected pressure values in said chamber, a selector handle fixed to said selector plate rotating means, an indicator plate fixed to said selector plate rotating means, and indicator plate fixed to said selector plate rotating means, and detent means on said indicator plate engageable by said rod at said pressure values to prevent rotation of said selector plate in either direction when said pressure values obtain and to permit rotation when said values do not obtain.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
The improvement according to claim 3, wherein said rod is biased toward a retracted position out of engagement with said detent means.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3392957A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-02-03 | 1978-08-05 | 1979-02-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-02-03 | 1982-08-05 | 1983-02-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-02-03 | 1986-08-05 | 1987-02-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |