Fluid handling – Systems – Plural noncommunicating flow paths
Patent
1992-03-02
1993-06-08
Hepperle, Stephen M.
Fluid handling
Systems
Plural noncommunicating flow paths
13762546, F16K 1116, F16K 11074
Patent
active
052170454
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a distributor device for the selective connection of one or a plurality of incoming lines with an outgoing line as well as an outgoing line with one or a plurality of outgoing lines.
2. Description of Prior Art
Distributor devices of the above mentioned type are known and described, for example, in German Letters Patent DE-PS 35 45 681. In this case, the distributor device has a plurality of incoming lines as well as a corresponding number of outgoing lines, so that a relative rotation of the bodies with respect to each other by 360.degree. or more is only possible if the lines consist of elastically deformable materials and are sufficiently long. A further disadvantage of the known device is that the number of different medium-conducting lines is relatively small.
Furthermore, a device for the selective connection of lines for flowable media is described in German Patent Publication DE 35 09 764 A1 and is embodied as a linear slider, the parts of which perform linear back-and-forth movements, even when two linear sliders placed in a common housing are cooperating.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Based on the above state of the art, it is one object of this invention to provides distributor device in accordance with the species, without a need for unreasonable constructive efforts, in such a way that a plurality of connections between medium sources and users is accomplished in the smallest possible space.
The above object is achieved in accordance with one preferred embodiment invention by at least two spatially separated control elements which are connectable to the lines. Each control element is connected to a stationary body and is connectable with the incoming or outgoing lines as well as to a body which is rotatable with respect to it. Each control element can assume several working positions and is connectable to the outgoing or incoming lines, the line of which conducts a medium if it is in a working position with respect to any one of the lines of the stationary body.
It is noted that in every case that is invention has been reduced practice the bodies which can be connected to a plurality of lines, these being the bodies which can be connected with medium sources, are stationary, while the lines which can be connected to the users can be removably connected with the rotatable bodies.
Further practical and advantageous embodiments of the invention ensue from the dependent claims.
In a particularly practical embodiment of this invention the rotatable bodies are driven by at least one servomotor. If this relates to a distributor device, the rotatable body of which is formed of circular disks, it is advantageous if the radial exteriors of the bodies are formed as toothed wheels which cooperate with a toothed wheel of the servomotor. With this simplest embodiment of the invention, there is also the opportunity of the motor meshing with the toothed gear of the one rotatable body, while this body meshes with the other rotatable body. In either case it is possible for the rotatable bodies to rotate in opposite directions.
The distributor device may also comprise a plurality of control elements, for example three, four, etc. In this preferred embodiment the rotatable bodies can be connected with each other with toothed gears which can be adjusted between an active working position, cooperating with the rotatable bodies, and an inactive working position, where they do no cooperate with the rotatable bodies.
If it is intended to use the distributor device of this invention in an installation with a plurality of medium sources and users, it is practical if the servomotor as well as all toothed gears cooperating with a adjustment device can be connected to a central control device The control device can be a computer installation in which the type of connection and duration can be controlled.
In a particularly practical embodiment of this invention, the stationary body has a plurality of circular holes with outwardly extending connec
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patent: 2908293 (1959-10-01), Johnson
patent: 3499465 (1970-03-01), Roop
patent: 3545474 (1970-12-01), Brown
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