Fluid distribution system

Claim 3

A system as specified in claim 1 wherein said conduit has first and second conduit ends, and wherein there is provided flow control means for selectively connecting a fluid source to said first and second conduit ends to cause said fluid to flow through said conduit in alternate first and second directions.

Claim 4

A system as specified in claim 2 wherein said flow control means includes activating means for engaging said plug element, said activating means being arranged to cause said fluid pressure to operate said flow control means when said plug element is engaged, thereby reversing said direction of fluid flow.

Claim 5

A system as specified in claim 2 wherein said plug means engages and activates each of said valve closing means in response to fluid pressure in either of said alternate directions.

Claim 6

A system as specified in claim 4 wherein each of said valves has a plurality of outlets, and wherein said valve closing means is arranged to open at least a first outlet in response to fluid pressure in said first direction and open at least a second outlet in response to fluid pressure in said second direction when said plug element is engaged in said plug receiving member.

Claim 7

A system as specified in claim 1 wherein each of said valves (C) comprises a tubular housing arranged in said conduit for fluid flow along the axis of said housing, and the outlet comprises an opening through the wall of said housing, each valve has a valve member within said housing for closing said outlet, which is in a normally closed position and displaceable to an open position, said valve member being linked to a tubular sleeve for receiving said plug element, and wherein said plug element (b) comprises a cylindrical body, said engagement (d) means on said plug element comprises radially displaceable members protruding from said body for engaging said sleeve and said means (e) for controlling said engagement means comprises a first elastic fluid filled chamber, within the body of said plug element which maintains said engagement (d) means, in an extended position, a second chamber connected to said first chamber by a narrow passage, and a check valve for allowing fluid to flow from said second to said first chamber, whereby when said plug element enters the sleeve of said valve member said engagement means hold said plug element in said sleeve until a selected amount of fluid flows from said first chamber to said second chamber through said narrow passage thereby releasing said engaging means and permitting said plug element to pass through and leave said sleeve, and when said plug element leaves said sleeve said fluid returns to said first chamber through said check valve, and while said plug element is held in the sleeve of said valve fluid pressure acting on said plug element displaces said sleeve and said valve member linked thereto in said housing and permits fluid flow through said outlet, and when said plug element leaves said sleeve said valve member returns to its closed position and fluid flows through said housing and said sleeve.

Claim 8

A plug element, usable in a fluid distribution system having a plurality of valves arranged along a conduit, for engaging valve closing means on said valves for a selected period and acting on said valve closing means in response to fluid pressure to open said valve closing means and allow said fluid to flow through outlets on said valves, comprising: a substantially cylindrical body; radially displaceable means, protruding from said body, for engaging said valve closing means; and means for holding said engaging means in a protruding position for a selected time after said engaging means engage said valve.

Claim 9

A plug element, usable in a fluid distribution system having a plurality of valves arranged along a conduit, for engaging valve closing means on said valves for a selected period and acting on said valve closing means in response to fluid pressure to open said valve closing means and allow said fluid to flow through outlets on said valves, comprising: a substantially cylindrical body; radially displaceable means, protruding from said body, for engaging said valve closing means; and means for holding said engaging means in a protruding position for a selected time after said engaging means engage said valve.

Claim 10

A plug element as specified in claim 7 wherein said valve closing means apply radial forces to said engaging means and said engaging means applies forces to activate said holding means.

Claim 11

A plug element as specified in claim 8 wherein said holding means comprises: a first fluid filled chamber in force transmitting contact with said engaging means; a second chamber connected to said first chamber by a narrow passage; and a check valve for allowing fluid to flow from said second to said first chamber.

Claim 12

A plug element as specified in claim 9 wherein said second chamber is enclosed in an air filled housing.

Claim 13

A plug element as specified in claim 10 wherein there is provided means for adjusting the pressure of said air in said housing.

Claim 14

A plug element as specified in claim 11 wherein said pressure adjusting means comprises a piston within said housing moveable by a rod extending outside said housing.

Claim 15

A valve, usable in a fluid distribution system, wherein a plug element engages valves arranged along a conduit for a selected period and acts on said valves in response to fluid pressure, comprising: a housing having first and second through ports arranged for connection to said conduit; at least one fluid outlet on said housing; a tubular sleeve, displaceably mounted in said housing, between said ports and having a reduced passage with respect to said conduit to receive and engage said plug; and valve closing means, responsive to displacement of said sleeve, by an engaged plug for opening and closing said outlet.

Claim 16

A valve, usable in a fluid distribution system, wherein a plug element engages valves arranged along a conduit for a selected period and acts on said valves in response to fluid pressure, comprising: a housing having first and second through ports arranged for connection to said conduit; at least one fluid outlet on said housing; a tubular sleeve, displaceably mounted in said housing, between said ports and having a reduced passage with respect to said conduit to receive and engage said plug; and valve closing means, responsive to displacement of said sleeve, by an engaged plug for opening and closing said outlet.

Claim 17

A valve as specified in claim 13 wherein said housing comprises a tubular passage for fluid flow along the axis thereof, said outlet comprises an opening in the wall of said housing and wherein said sleeve is arranged coaxially within said housing.

Claim 18

A valve as specified in claim 13 wherein there are provided at least two of said outlets, and wherein said valve closing means comprises a first valve member, responsive to displacement of said sleeve in a first direction, for opening a first outlet and a second valve member, responsive to displacement of said sleeve in a second direction, for opening a second outlet.

Claim 19

A valve as specified in claim 13 wherein said sleeve has frustro-conical widened entrances.

Claim 20

A flow control device, usable in a fluid distribution system wherein a plug element engages said control device and activates said control device to reverse the direction of fluid flow in said distribution system, comprising: a housing having a fluid inlet and first and second fluid outlets; first and second fluid control valves for controlling fluid flow from said inlet through said first and second fluid outlets; first and second vent control valves, for venting said first and second outlets to air; and means, responsive to said plug element, interconnecting said fluid control valves and said vent control valves, so that when said first fluid control valve is open said second vent control valve is open, said first vent control valve is closed and said second fluid control valve is closed, and when said second fluid control valve is open, said first vent control valve is open, said second vent control valve is closed and said first fluid control valve is closed.

Claim 21

A flow control device, usable in a fluid distribution system wherein a plug element engages said control device and activates said control device to reverse the direction of fluid flow in said distribution system, comprising: a housing having a fluid inlet and first and second fluid outlets; first and second fluid control valves for controlling fluid flow from said inlet through said first and second fluid outlets; first and second vent control valves, for venting said first and second outlets to air; and means, responsive to said plug element, interconnecting said fluid control valves and said vent control valves, so that when said first fluid control valve is open said second vent control valve is open, said first vent control valve is closed and said second fluid control valve is closed, and when said second fluid control valve is open, said first vent control valve is open, said second vent control valve is closed and said first fluid control valve is closed.

Claim 22

A flow control device as specified in claim 17 wherein said first and second fluid control valves are, axially aligned and displaceable in said housing, and wherein said interconnecting means comprises a connecting rod between said fluid control valves, and wherein said vent control valves are between said fluid control valves and connected to each other by a sleeve slidably mounted on said connecting rod and wherein there is provided a spring on said connecting rod between each of said fluid control valves and the adjacent vent control valve.

Claim 23

A flow control device as specified in claim 18 wherein each of said flow control valves has an inside passage and wherein said passage may be blocked by said plug element.