Flexible diaphragm controlled valve

Claim 1

An improved fluid pressure controlled diaphragm actuated multiport valve comprising: (a) a first plate having a multiplicity of control fluid inlet means passing through said first plate each of said control fluid inlet means being connectable to a source of control fluid under pressure, and under independent pressure control; (b) a second plate assembled adjacent said first plate having a multiplicity of fluid conduct means passing through said second plate, each of said fluid conduit means opening opposite a corresponding control fluid inlet means in said first plate said second plate further having a multiplicity of operatively interconnected, low dead volume fluid channel means on its inner surface peripherally surrounding each of said fluid conduit means; (c) a flexible diaphragm means disposed between said first plate and said second plate when said plates are assembled adjacent one another, said diaphragm means being so arranged and constructed as to seal any fluid conduit means to fluid flow when said corresponding control fluid inlet means is open to control fluid under pressure, wherein said channel means are in independent operative fluid flow connection with each said fluid conduit means when said diaphragm is not in sealing position with respect to said fluid conduit means and are not in operative fluid flow connection with each said fluid conduit means when said diaphragm is in sealing position, wherein further said channel means are so arranged and constructed to maintain operative fluid flow connection between any of said fluid conduit means which are not sealed; and (d) means for holding said first plate, said second plate and said diaphragm in assembled adjacent relationship.