Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
274 words
A valve comprising: a valve body having a cavity with first, second, third and fourth openings intersecting with said cavity, said fourth opening being a drain opening; a valve member rotatably positioned in said cavity; said valve member having a generally cylindrical exterior surface and a hollow configuration with an end opening in alignment with said first opening; a side opening in said valve member positioned at substantially a right angle with respect to said end opening thereof, said valve member being formed and arranged for rotation about an axis of revolution to bring said side opening thereof into or out of alignment with said second opening or said third opening of said valve body so as to establish flow communication between said first and second openings or between said first and third openings; said side opening of said valve member having a width which is sufficient to span a distance between said second and third openings such that said valve is always open with flow communication being provided between said first opening and both said second and third openings when said valve member is in an intermediate angular position with said side opening of said valve member out of alignment with said second opening and out of alignment with said third opening; and said valve member having a drain passageway defined therein to provide fluid communication therethrough between said third and fourth openings of said valve body when said side opening of said valve member is in alignment with said second opening, whereby fluid communication is established between said fourth drain opening and said third opening via the intermediary of said drain passageway.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
274 words
A valve comprising: a valve body having a cavity with first, second, third and fourth openings intersecting with said cavity, said fourth opening being a drain opening; a valve member rotatably positioned in said cavity; said valve member having a generally cylindrical exterior surface and a hollow configuration with an end opening in alignment with said first opening; a side opening in said valve member positioned at substantially a right angle with respect to said end opening thereof, said valve member being formed and arranged for rotation about an axis of revolution to bring said side opening thereof into or out of alignment with said second opening or said third opening of said valve body so as to establish flow communication between said first and second openings or between said first and third openings; said side opening of said valve member having a width which is sufficient to span a distance between said second and third openings such that said valve is always open with flow communication being provided between said first opening and both said second and third openings when said valve member is in an intermediate angular position with said side opening of said valve member out of alignment with said second opening and out of alignment with said third opening; and said valve member having a drain passageway defined therein to provide fluid communication therethrough between said third and fourth openings of said valve body when said side opening of said valve member is in alignment with said second opening, whereby fluid communication is established between said fourth drain opening and said third opening via the intermediary of said drain passageway.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus of claim 1 including sealing means for sealing said respective openings in said valve body to said valve member in a fluid tight manner.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
39 words
The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said sealing means comprises a unitary sealing structure of generally hollow cylindrical shape having first and second generally semi-cylindrical openings therein, one of said openings having an axial extent greater than the other.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
58 words
The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said sealing means comprises a unitary sealing structure of generally hollow cylindrical shape having a pair of axially spaced circular portions at opposite axial ends thereof, a pair of generally diametrically opposed longitudinally extending portions interconnecting opposite circular end portions, and an intermediate semicircular portion interconnecting said pair of longitudinally extending portions.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
48 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said second and third openings are diametrically opposed in said valve body and said fourth drain opening comprises an elongated bore with its longitudinal axis intersecting said valve body at an acute angle to the axis of revolution of said valve member.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
27 words
The apparatus of claim 5 wherein said elongated drain bore intersects said hollow interior of said valve body at a position axially spaced from said third opening.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
49 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said drain passageway includes a recess in the generally cylindrical exterior surface of the side of said valve member disposed generally opposite said side opening, said drain recess having an axial extent sufficient to provide fluid communication between said third and fourth openings.