US 4,308,892 AGranted

Rotary valve

AssigneeThe Bendix Corporation

InventorRobert K. Van Ausdal

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Abstract

A rotary valve of generally cylindrical configuration is arranged to drive two piston-type hydraulic motors by distributing fluid under pressure and return pressures to and from a series of motor ports which match the inlet ports of the motors. Fluid at inlet pressure and at return pressure is distributed through a series of axial passageways to a number of distribution ports. The distribution ports, which would be extremely complex to fabricate with usual casting or machining techniques, are formed of a number of series of stacked disks whose output or input openings are controlled by a rotary member having radial openings and axial passageways. The disks are formed with a symmetrical pattern of ports such that when flow is initiated from a given opening an oppositely disposed opening also will initiate flow, thus radially balancing the forces. Valving to the two motors is symmetrical around the center of the housing, thus causing the fluid pressure forces to be essentially balanced end to end as well as radially.

Claims10

Dependent claims

A rotary valve for distributing flow to a hydraulic motor including a housing, a fluid inlet port and a fluid return port in said housing for connection to a source of fluid under pressure and a plurality of motor ports for connection to corresponding parts of said motor, fluid distribution means in said housing including an internal cylindrical bore and a driven rotary valve member in said cylindrical bore for directing flow between said inlet and return ports and said motor ports,

characterized in that said fluid distribution means comprises block means in said housing including a passageway constituting at least part of said bore, said block means also including circuit means connecting said inlet and return ports and said motor ports to said bore adjacent said rotary valve member, and a plurality of stacked disks communicating with said conduit means having openings and slots at desired radial positions communicating with said rotary valve member, the positioning of said openings and slots cooperating with said rotary valve member for controlling the delivery of flow from said inlet ports to selected said motor ports and from other selected motor ports to said return port, said block means further including a first block having an annular chamber communicating with said inlet port, a first group of axial bores connected to said annular chamber, a series of annular chambers communicating with individual said motor ports, a second group of axial bores each connected to individual annular chambers of said series, said second group of axial bores being connected to said disks.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.