US 2026/0139748 A1 · IMPROVED MULTIPORT ROTARY VALVE ASSEMBLY

Abstract

An improved multiport rotary valve assembly is disclosed for fluid control systems, particularly in direct lithium and mineral extraction applications. The assembly features a valve body comprising a housing ring, upper and lower closure discs, and a process disc, with advanced polymeric seals, including radial and lip seals, ensuring robust sealing engagement. A mechanically biased tensioning assembly, incorporating tension springs and load cells, maintains consistent sealing compression, mitigating issues of under-engagement and over-engagement caused by thermal and pressure variations. The valve assembly reduces leakage, cross-contamination, and seal degradation, enhancing extraction rates, operational efficiency, and seal longevity. Real-time monitoring and feedback mechanisms enable precise adjustments during startup, operation, and cooldown, minimizing manual intervention and downtime. This design addresses stringent purity requirements in direct lithium extraction while supporting high throughput and reliable performance under demanding conditions.

Claims22

Dependent claims

A multiport rotary valve assembly, comprising:

a valve body comprising a housing ring defining an internal valve chamber, an upper closure disc and a lower closure disc secured to opposing axial ends of the housing ring, and a process disc rotatably received within the internal valve chamber;
an annular seal or sealing assembly constructed of a low-friction polymeric material and disposed between a sidewall of the housing ring and a periphery of the process disc;
a plurality of concentric seals or sealing assemblies constructed of a low-friction polymeric material and disposed between axially confronting sealing surfaces of the process disc and the upper and lower closure discs;
a tensioning assembly configured to apply an axial compressive force to the closure discs, the tensioning assembly comprising:
at least one tensioning rod extending through the valve body;
and
a biasing spring engaged with the tensioning rod;
at least one load sensor associated with the biasing spring for measuring a tension force in the tensioning rod;
and
a controller operably coupled to the tensioning assembly and the load sensor, the controller configured to monitor a preload on the biasing spring to maintain a predetermined sealing tension based on real-time feedback from the load sensor.

7 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Improved multiport rotary valve assembly

Life of this patent

Improved multiport rotary valve assembly

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims22