US3973583A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Fluid control system
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1974-05-16
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Granted: 1976-08-10
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Expires: 1994-05-16
Abstract
Abstract Fluid control systems for controlling machine tool operations or other automated mechanical devices. An unlimited number of multiple function systems can be assembled from a basic simple function system employing two-way relay valves which, in their normally blocked state, have a "controlled leakage" venting feature effective to prevent any leakage to outlet and possible system malfunction. This controlled leakage venting feature is constructed so that the leakage path is never exposed to line pressure when a valve changes state from blocked to passing or vice-versa. Fluid memory can also be built in the system. Simple relay valves, limit valves, pressure control relay valves, time delay relay valves and other variations in spool and slide form provide controlled leakage.
Inventors
- 👤 Gerald T. Sorenson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 10:14
CPC Classifications
F; F15; F15B; F15B13/00; F15B13/02; F15B13/04; F15B13/0401; F15B13/0402; F16; F16K; F16K27/00; F16K27/04; F16K27/041; F16K27/042; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T137/00; Y10T137/5762; Y10T137/8593; Y10T137/86493; Y10T137/86558; Y10T137/86879
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 21
Claim 1
Independent Claim
160 words
A normally blocked fluid control valve, comprising: a. a valve body having an inlet port and an outlet port formed in a surface, and an unconstricted opening to exhaust means communicating with said surface, and b. a valve member movable relative to said surface and including passage means for placing said inlet and outlet ports in fluid communication with each other in one position of said valve member relative to said body and for blocking fluid communication between said ports in another position of said valve member relative to said body, c. said unconstricted opening to exhaust means communicating with said surface at a distance from said inlet port which is less than the length of any leakage path between said inlet and outlet ports, d. said unconstricted opening to exhaust means communicating with said surface at a location where said passage means cannot place said opening into fluid communication with said inlet port when said valve member changes positions.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
160 words
A normally blocked fluid control valve, comprising: a. a valve body having an inlet port and an outlet port formed in a surface, and an unconstricted opening to exhaust means communicating with said surface, and b. a valve member movable relative to said surface and including passage means for placing said inlet and outlet ports in fluid communication with each other in one position of said valve member relative to said body and for blocking fluid communication between said ports in another position of said valve member relative to said body, c. said unconstricted opening to exhaust means communicating with said surface at a distance from said inlet port which is less than the length of any leakage path between said inlet and outlet ports, d. said unconstricted opening to exhaust means communicating with said surface at a location where said passage means cannot place said opening into fluid communication with said inlet port when said valve member changes positions.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
40 words
The valve of claim 1 further characterized in that: a. said body has a generally cylindrical bore therein, and b. said surface being formed in said bore and said ports extending radially through said body into communication with said bore.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
23 words
The valve of claim 2 further characterized in that: a. said unconstricted opening includes a vent aperture formed radially through said valve body.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
28 words
The valve of claim 3 further characterized in that: a. an annular venting groove is formed around said bore, b. said vent aperture communicating with said venting groove.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
46 words
The valve of claim 2 further characterized in that: a. said valve member comprises a valve spool axially slidable in said bore, and b. fluid control port means are formed in said body in communication with said bore at at least one end of said spool.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
36 words
The valve of claim 5 further characterized in that: a. said fluid control port means comprise first and second pilot ports formed in said body in communication with said bore at opposite ends of said spool.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
24 words
The valve of claim 6 further characterized by and including: a. spring means in said bore urging said spool toward said first pilot port.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
55 words
The valve of claim 6 further characterized in that: a. said valve body has a first pair of inlet and outlet ports located in a first plane transverse to the axis of said bore and a second pair of inlet and outlet ports located in a second plane transverse to the axis of said bore.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
29 words
The valve of claim 8 further characterized in that: a. said first and second pairs of inlet and outlet ports are arranged on axes 90° removed from each other.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
104 words
The valve of claim 5 further characterized in that: a. movement of said valve spool in one direction relative to said valve body is effective to place first of said inlet and outlet ports in communication with each other before second set of inlet and outlet ports are placed in communication with each other, and b. said outlet port of said first pair of inlet and outlet ports being connected back to said first pilot port to provide added pressure for moving said valve spool into a position where it places said second pair of inlet and outlet ports in communication with each other.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
25 words
The valve of claim 10 further characterized in that: a. at least initial movement of said spool in one direction is effected by cam means.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
56 words
The valve of claim 6 further characterized in that: a. an adjustable volume chamber is formed in communication with said first pilot port; b. said chamber having a fluid pressure port, and c. whereby the pressure which is effective to actuate said valve by moving said valve spool is determined by the volume of said chamber.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
36 words
The valve of claim 6 further characterized in that: a. a chamber is formed in communication with said second pilot port by an adjustable length leakage path, and b. said chamber being connected to exhaust means.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
45 words
The valve of claim 2 further characterized in that: a. said movable valve member comprises a valve spool having an annular groove formed therein to define said passage means for connecting said inlet and outlet ports when said groove is axially aligned with said ports.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
39 words
The valve of claim 2 further characterized in that: a. said movable valve member comprises a valve spool having a radial passage extending therethrough for connecting said inlet and outlet ports when said passage is aligned with said ports.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
18 words
The valve of claim 15 further characterized in that: a. said spool is axially movable in said bore.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
19 words
The fluid control valve of claim 15 further characterized in that: a. said spool is rotatable in said bore.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
34 words
The fluid control valve of claim 1 further characterized in that: a. said surface is substantially planar, and b. said valve member being a valve slider movable on said surface in sealing engagement therewith.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
29 words
The valve of claim 15 further characterized by and including: a. means orientating said valve spool in said bore so that it is fixed against rotation on its axis.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
61 words
The valve of claim 2 further characterized in that: a. said valve body having at least two pair of inlet and outlet ports, each pair of inlet and outlet ports located in a separate plane transverse to the axis of said base, b. said unconstricted opening to exhaust means communicating with said surface between said pairs of inlet and outlet ports.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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Cited
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1979-08-10 | 1980-02-09 | 1980-08-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1983-08-10 | 1984-02-09 | 1984-08-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1987-08-10 | 1988-02-09 | 1988-08-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |