US 4,429,711 AGranted

Multivalve manifold interlock and control system

AssigneeAnderson, Greenwood & Co.

InventorMarion L. Schomer

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Abstract

In the preferred and illustrated embodiment, a multivalve manifold control and interlock system is set forth. The multivalve manifold comprises three valves arranged within a valve body, wherein valve stems with optional handles are located above the valve body to be gripped and rotated. The valve body encloses three ball or plug valves. They are switched by 90.degree. rotation. Each stem supports a circular disk, and the three stems are equipped with three circular disks which interlock. Certain arcuate notches are cut in the circular disks. The arrangement of the notches limits the sequence in which the valves are opened and closed. Moreover, opening and closing is constrained to the sequence required for safe operation of the multivalve manifold. Further, a lock bar is incorporated, and is profiled to fit with the valve stems for locking.

Claims16

Dependent claims

A multivalve manifold for interconnecting a pair of fluid signals to a sensor comprising:

(a) a solid, rectangular valve body means having
(1) a pair of adjacent inlet ports on one said of said body means;
(2) a pair of adjacent outlet ports on an opposing side of said body means;
and
(3) a pair of interconnecting passages in said body means extending between said inlet and outlet ports;
(b) first and second valves in said body means opening and closing fluid flow through said passages;
(c) third valve in said body means opening and closing a passage between said interconnected passages downstream from said first and second valves;
(d) first, second and third valve stems connected to said first, second and third valves, respectively, and extending from said body means parallel to the other of said valve stems, each of said valve stem being enclosed by a valve stem cover dependent on rotation of said valve stems to a specified angular position;
(e) interlock means connected to said valve stems cooperatively
(1) preventing two of said valve stems from rotating while permitting one of the three valve stems to rotate;
(2) permitting only one of said two valve stems to rotate after said one of said valve stems has rotated;
(3) permitting the last of said valve stems to rotate after rotation of two of said valve stems;
(4) wherein rotation is between full open and closed valve positions;
and
(f) lock bar means being mounted about said valve stem covers for securing at least two of said valve stems against operation, said lock bar means being selectively removeable to enable operation of said valve stems.

12 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.