Fluid distribution system

A method for distributing a fluid serially into each of a plurality of outlet conduits from an inlet conduit, said method comprising the steps of:

• (a) providing a housing having a cavity disposed intermediate the inlet conduit and the outlet conduits;
• (b) rotatably mounting a rotor having axially spaced apart discs located on an hollow hub within the cavity;
• (c) introducing fluid from the inlet into the hub;
• (d) discharging fluid from the hub into the cavity and creating a force to urge rotation of the rotor;
• (e) conveying fluid through an aperture in each of the discs into the outlet apertures of an opposed pair of outlet apertures in the housing;
• (f) directing the fluid from the paired outlet apertures into an outlet conduit;
• (g) incrementally halting rotation of the rotor upon registration of the apertures in the discs with one of the pairs of opposed outlet apertures in the housing;
• whereby, the rotor serially distributes fluid from the inlet into each of the outlet conduits in response to incremental rotation of the rotor.

A fluid distribution apparatus for directing a fluid into selected ones of outlet conduits in response to a flow of fluid into an inlet conduit, said apparatus comprising in combination:

• (a) a pair of opposed outlet apertures for communicating with each outlet conduit;
• (b) a rotor for directing fluid flow from the inlet conduit into at least a pair of said opposed outlet apertures;
• (c) means for locating said rotor intermediate opposed apertures of said pairs of opposed outlet apertures;
• (d) means for urging rotation of said rotor to serially direct a flow of fluid through said pairs of opposed outlet apertures;
• (e) means for periodically halting rotation of said rotor to achieve fluid flow from the inlet conduit to at least one pair of said pairs of opposed outlet apertures;
• and
• (f) means for equalizing the pressure on opposed sides of said rotor adjacent each of said pairs of opposed outlet apertures.

A method for distributing a fluid into selected ones of outlet conduits in response to a flow of fluid into an inlet conduit, said method comprising the steps of:

• (a) communicating a flow of fluid from a pair of opposed outlet apertures into each outlet conduit;
• (b) directing fluid flow from the inlet conduit into at least a pair of opposed outlet apertures with a rotor;
• (c) locating the rotor intermediate opposed apertures of the pairs of opposed outlet apertures;
• (d) urging rotation of the rotor to serially direct a flow of fluid through the pairs of opposed outlet apertures;
• (e) periodically halting rotation of the rotor to achieve fluid flow from the inlet conduit to at least one pair of the pairs of opposed outlet apertures;
• and
• (f) equalizing the pressures on opposed sides of the rotor adjacent each of the pairs of opposed outlet apertures.