Two eductor / four-way selector valve assembly
AssigneeDiversey, Inc.
InventorsSteven E. Schiller, James H. Lohr, Paul J. Larson
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A selector valve assembly for use in conjunction with an eductor dispensing system which reduces the incidence of product carry-over when the valve is moved from one position to another. The selector valve assembly also reduces the incidence of improper dispensing. In a preferred manner, the selector valve assembly has a single valve member and accommodates four product inlet lines for selectively passing chemical concentrate to two eductors. The selector valve assembly is composed of a minimum of ports, thereby reducing maintenance and cost.
Claims11
A selector valve assembly comprising:
- a valve including a product passageway;
- a plurality of inlets, at least two of the plurality of inlets circumferentially arranged on the valve and disposed on a radial exterior of the valve, and the plurality of inlets configured to be fluidly coupled to different sources of chemical concentrate;
- and
- one of two outlet passages in fluid communication with the product passageway;
- wherein rotation of the valve is configured to fluidly align the product passageway with a selected inlet of the plurality of inlets to direct chemical concentrate from one of the sources of chemical concentrate through one of the two outlet passages.
A method of controlling flow of fluid through a selector valve assembly, the method comprising:
- rotating a valve to a first position to establish fluid communication between a product passageway of the valve and a first chemical concentrate through a first inlet of the valve;
- rotating the valve to a second position to establish fluid communication between the product passageway and a second chemical concentrate through a second inlet of the valve, the first inlet and the second inlet circumferentially arranged on the valve and disposed on a radial exterior of the valve, the product passageway selectively in communication with the first inlet and the second inlet, and the valve further including an outlet in fluid communication with the product passageway;
- and
- establishing fluid communication between the outlet and one of two outlet passages,
- wherein, in response to rotation of the valve to the first position, the product passageway is in communication with the first inlet and directs the first chemical concentrate through the outlet, and
- wherein, in response to rotation of the valve to the second position, the product passageway is in communication with the second inlet and directs the second chemical concentrate through the outlet.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.