Fluid handling – Systems – Multiple inlet with multiple outlet
Reexamination Certificate
2000-02-24
2001-05-22
Chambers, A. Michael (Department: 3753)
Fluid handling
Systems
Multiple inlet with multiple outlet
C251S061100
Reexamination Certificate
active
06234203
ABSTRACT:
The present invention concerns a diaphragm valve and a valve housing therefor having at least two valve chambers in one valve housing block.
The diaphragm valve of the present invention is related to the diaphragm valves disclosed in WO 95/00782, WO 97/17558 and PCT/SE98/00621, all by the same inventor.
The valve according to WO 95/00782 includes a valve housing having a substantially circular valve chamber, into which opens a central channel and on each side thereof a first side channel and a second side channel. Each side channel has an external connection for fluid and is separated from the central channel by means of a respective one of two substantially parallel valve seat means extending like chords across the valve chamber. Each valve seat means provides a substantially linear valve seat for an elastic diaphragm. The diaphragm is adapted to be brought into and away from sealing contact with at least one of the valve seat means. Two individually operable control means are adapted both to press a respective linear portion of the diaphragm against a respective valve seat, thereby to shut passage of fluid between the central channel and a respective side channel, and to positively raise a respective portion of the diaphragm off a respective one of the valve seat, thereby to open a flow passage between the central channel and the respective side channel.
In the valve according to WO 97/17558, the valve housing is provided with a second substantially circular valve chamber, into which opens a fourth channel having an external connection for fluid and which communicates with the central channel through an opening in the valve housing. A second elastic diaphragm is provided and is adapted to be brought into and away from sealing engagement with a third valve seat means provided in the second valve chamber. A third control means is arranged both to press the second diaphragm against the third valve seat means, thereby to shut passage of fluid between the fourth channel and the central channel, and to release the diaphragm from its engagement with the third valve seat means, thereby to open passage of fluid between the fourth channel and the central channel.
Common to the two prior art valves mentioned is a central channel having direct communication with an associated port. Consequently, this port becomes involved also in fluid transfer between the remaining two ports in the valve according to WO 95/00782 and between any combination of two of the remaining three ports in the valve according to WO 97/17558.
In a diaphragm valve of the kinds described above, the valve seats can be characterized as thresholds or weirs between adjacent channels and associated ports. Communication between two ports is established by fluid passage across but one threshold.
The valve according to PCT/SE98/00621 allows transfer of fluid between any combination of at least two of its ports without any other port being involved. This is achieved in that the central channel is replaced by a central space having no direct communication with any port. Fluid passage from a port to the central space must take place across a threshold, and passage from the central space to any other port must take place across a further threshold. Thus, all flow across the valve has to pass the central space.
These prior art valves can manage but one flow at a time, unless mixing of two fluids is concerned.
A first object of the present invention is to provide a diaphragm valve capable of managing two simultaneously incoming separate flows and that is capable of directing each flow in two optional outgoing directions.
A second object is to provide a diaphragm valve as just stated-also enabling by-pass of a flow from an inlet port to an outlet port.
These objects are achieved by membrane valves and valve housings for such valves as stated in the appended claims.
The objects stated will become more apparent from the annexed drawing schematically showing in
FIG. 1
the principle of an arrangement of four 2-way valves enabling to manage two incoming flows and to direct them in two optional outgoing directions (first object), in
FIGS. 2
a
and
2
b
two different positions of a state-of-the-art valve having the properties of the
FIG. 1
arrangement, and in
FIG. 3
the arrangement of
FIG. 1
completed by a further 2-way valve enabling by-pass between two ports.
The arrangement of
FIG. 1
includes four 2-way valves a, b, c and d interconnected so that valves a and d have one common port A, valves a and b one common port B, valves b and c one common port C, and valves c and d one common port D. A flow coming in at port A may be directed through valve a to port B, and, at the same time a flow coming in at port C may be directed through valve c to port C. Alternatively, the flow coming in at port A may be directed through valve d to port D and, at the same time the flow coming in at port C may be directed through valve b to port D.
The state-of-the-art valve according to
FIG. 2
performing like the arrangement of
FIG. 1
has a cylindrical valve housing
1
and a valve body
2
rotatable therein between a first position shown in
FIG. 2
a
and a second position shown in
FIG. 2
b.
As appears from
FIG. 2
a,
a flow coming in at port A is directed to port B, whereas a flow coming in at port C is directed to port D. In the second position of the valve body shown in
FIG. 2
b
the flow coming in at port AB is directed to port D and the flow coming in at port C is directed to port B.
It is the first object of the present invention to provide a diaphragm valve performing like the arrangement of FIG.
1
and the state-of-the-art valve according to FIG.
2
.
FIG. 2
a
is a schematic view of a state of the art valve in a first position;
FIG. 2
b
is a schematic view of a state of the art valve in a second position;
In
FIG. 3
is shown the valve arrangement of
FIG. 1
completed with a fifth valve e allowing by-pass from port A to port C. It is the second object of the present invention to provide a diaphragm valve having the properties of the
FIG. 3
valve arrangement.
REFERENCES:
patent: 5277224 (1994-01-01), Hutton et al.
patent: 5335691 (1994-08-01), Kolenc
patent: 5762314 (1998-06-01), Williams
patent: 6082398 (2000-07-01), Girard et al.
patent: 6112767 (2000-09-01), Pinkham
patent: 0618389 (1994-10-01), None
patent: 9500782 (1995-01-01), None
patent: 9717558 (1997-05-01), None
patent: 9845629 (1998-10-01), None
Birch & Stewart Kolasch & Birch, LLP
Chambers A. Michael
McShane Thomas L.
Robovlave AB
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