Valve assembly and method of controlling flow of fluid
AssigneeGE Aviation Systems LLC
InventorsKevin Patrick HALLISEY, Christopher Michael DUNN, Richard George HEXT, III
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A valve assembly includes a plenum having first, second, and third air source ports, a flapper valve assembly pivotally movable between a first position, where the first air source port is closed by the flapper valve assembly and the second and third air source ports are open and in fluid communication, and a second position, where the second air source port is closed by the flapper valve assembly and the first and third air source ports are open and in fluid communication and a method of controlling fluid flow via a valve assembly.
Claims20
A valve assembly comprising:
- a plenum having first, second, and third air source ports;
- a flapper valve assembly pivotally movable between a first position, where the first air source port is closed by the flapper valve assembly and the second and third air source ports are open and in fluid communication, and a second position, where the second air source port is closed by the flapper valve assembly and the first and third air source ports are open and in fluid communication;
- a biasing device imparting a biasing force to the flapper valve assembly to bias the flapper valve assembly into the first position to close off the first air source port;
- and
- an air dam provided on the flapper valve assembly to confront the first air source port when the flapper valve assembly is in the first position, wherein air acting on the air dam generates a pressure force opposing the biasing force.
A valve comprising:
- a flapper valve assembly pivotally movable between a first position and a second position;
- a biasing device imparting a biasing force to the flapper valve assembly to bias the flapper valve assembly into the first position;
- and
- an air dam projecting from the flapper valve assembly such that air acting on the air dam generates a pressure force opposing the biasing force.
A method of controlling a flow of fluid through a plenum having first, second, and third air source ports, the method comprising:
- applying a biasing force on a flapper valve assembly, which is movable between a first position, where the first air source port is closed, and second position, where the second air source port is closed, to bias the flapper valve assembly from the second position toward the first position to close the first air source port;
- and
- applying pressurized air against an air dam on the flapper valve assembly through the first air source port at a pressure to overcome the biasing force to move the flapper valve assembly from the first position to the second position to close off the second air source port;
- wherein when air flow is desired between the first and third air source ports, the pressurized air is applied against the air dam, and when airflow is desired between the second and third ports, the pressurized air is not applied against the air dam.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.